Recently, scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and the University of Calcutta discovered a new ape species in the forests of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. This new primate species is scientifically named the Sela Macaque. This discovery is both good news and bad news at a time. It is because the Sela Macaque was defined to be threatened with extinction even though it has only been about a month since its discovery in mid-May 2022.
Scientists are still conducting further studies on why the Sela Macaque is threatened with extinction. So far, however, Sela Macaque has been involved in a lot of conflict with humans because this species is a major cause of crop loss in the West Kameng district.
According to National Geographic, Macaque is a geographically widespread genus of old-world monkey. This species belongs to the family of Cercopithecidae. Sela Macaque has a pale face and brown coat. What distinguishes it from the other type of apes is that Sela Macaque has a fair long snout and long third molars. This species is a fruit-eater but also eats a lot of seeds, leaves, flowers, and some animal prey.
Sela Macaque's appearance up close, Source: Zoological Survey of India
The Sela Macaque likely evolved from the Arunachal Macaque (Macaca Munzala), an endangered species found in the same area. It is because both of them are genetically similar. However, there are some distinct morphological traits to differentiate the two species. More details about this species described in the journal of Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution titled "The Sela Macaque (Macaca Selai) is a Distinct Phylogenetic Species That Evolved from the Arunachal Macaque Following Allopatric Speciation."
Until now, scientists are still conducting further research on the species of Sela Macaque. Conservation planning and management will be reproduced as an effort to preserve this species, as well as prevent it from becoming extinct.
There are more than 20 species of Macaque known to date with a wide distribution, ranging from Morocco and Gibraltar in the West, to Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, also including Bali and Sulawesi in Indonesia.
Source:
National Geographic. 2022. Macaca Selai, Spesies Baru Kera Dari India yang Terancam Punah. https://nationalgeographic.grid.id/read/133307087/macaca-selai-spesies-baru-kera-dari-india-yang-terancam-punah
Journals of India. 2022. Sela Macaque' (Macaca Selai). https://journalsofindia.com/sela-macaque-macaca-selai/