Abstract:

Aims: Snub-nosed monkeys are leaf-eating primates endemic mainly to China. They attract considerable public attention because of their photogenic and captivating features; they are also considered flagship species for wildlife conservation as their populations are threatened by extensive deforestation, agricultural expansion, and hunting. Furthermore, zoologists, anthropologists, and psychologists are attracted by their complex social organization—A multi-level society that hundreds of individuals forage and move together as one cohesive band.

Results: With their unique and easily distinguished snub-nosed feature, snub-nosed monkeys have been recorded in historical literature since 770 BC. However, the field studies of ecology and conservation practices were only initiated after the founding of New China. Studies which help governments to protect populations had been gradually launched after reform and opening-up policy, and kept pace with international researchers till the early 21st century. With animals identifiable through provisioning, some of key studies of social behavior, such as male infanticide, female anti-infanticide strategies, allomother infant care, male cooperation, grooming networks etc., have focused on adaptive advantages and maintenance mechanisms of the multi-level society.

Conclusion: Over the past few decades, with strong support from central and local governments, almost all populations of Chinese snub-nosed monkeys are well protected, and field studies of behavior and ecology conducted by Chinese primatologists have gradually emerged as an international leader. In the future, research should be focused on behavioral ecology for site-specific population, how snub-nosed monkeys coexist with other sympatric mammals, and cohesive forces of the multi-level society.

Key words: snub-nosed monkeys, behavioral ecology, conservation status, social behavior