Tonkin snub-nosed monkey

The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey has a flattened face with a pink upturned nose, thickened pink lips and areas of blue skin around its eyes. The upper parts are black, the underparts creamy-white, and there is an orange patch on the throat which is particularly obvious in breeding males. The tail has a white tip. Its head-and-body length is and its tail . Females weigh about while males weigh . Juveniles are grey rather than black, and lack the orange throat patch. Compared to the other four species of snub-nosed monkeys, the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey exhibits a smaller degree of sexual dimorphism. It is more slender and has longer fingers and toes. ==Biology==

Diet The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey's diet consists of a range of leaves, fruits, flowers and seeds. The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey has a strong jaw which allows it to chew the tough plant-based food that is part of its diet. Lifespan The typical lifespan recorded in colobine monkeys is about twenty years, with an age of twenty-nine years recorded in captivity. The lifespan of Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys has not been recorded as of yet. Instead the monkey begins emitting loud and rapid alarm calls, with the lead male of the group often approaching the people. This low diversity is likely a result of deforestation and intensive hunting of the species which led to population bottlenecks and restricted gene flow. A low amount of genetic diversity in a population is often associated with an increase in extinction, though there are examples of species that have persisted regardless of low genetic diversity. Habitat The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey resides in primary forests which consist of bamboo and broadleaf evergreen. Recorded at elevations between , its distribution is currently restricted to these forests which are located on hilltops and mountains created from karst limestone. The species' environment is also defined by its monsoon rainfall and tropical temperatures. Ecological role The ecological role of the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey is very similar to that of other herbivorous monkeys, in that they disperse seeds through their feces and help to regenerate the forest environment. ==Status==

Five isolated extant populations have been identified since its rediscovery. Despite being heralded as a flagship species and subsequently receiving international attention and conservation actions, the population trend is still declining. Its range once included areas to the east of Vietnam's Red River. In December 2013, Fauna & Flora International released the result of a population survey conducted between September and October of that year in the Khau Ca Species and Habitat Conservation Area, Ha Giang province, Vietnam. The survey identified between 108–113 individuals alive in the conservation zone, nearly half of the standing estimate for world population and the highest number at the site since populations began to be monitored. Researchers took this as an encouraging sign that conservation efforts were making an impact on the species' steeply declining numbers. The latest survey, as of November 2017, carried out by Fauna & Flora international in Khau Ca forest in April 2017 recorded at least 113–121 individuals making this area home to the largest known population of Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys. == Conservation efforts ==

Fauna & Flora International has been focused on making an impact to the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey population. In order to protect the two largest known populations, located in Khau Ca in Vietnam and in a forest fragment near the border of China, Fauna & Flora International has been working with local communities to spread awareness about the species and monitor its habitat. The two sides will conduct scientific research regarding the habitats, behaviors, and populations of the monkey and flora species, will recover and expand their forest habitat, prevent and reduce human-related threats to the species, apply advanced technologies to conservation and awareness improvement, and help with capacity building for those involved in the biodiversity conservation. This is a first step towards community involvement in the conservation of the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey. The two organizations involved will establish a sustainable financial mechanism for forest conservation through community facilitation and payment for forest environmental services and those related to it. ==References==