Long-tailed macaque
TAXONOMY
Suborder: Haplorrhini Infraorder: Simiiformes Superfamily: Cercopithecoidea Family: Cercopithecidae Subfamily: Cercopithecinae Genus: Macaca Species: M. fascicularis Subspecies: M. f. atriceps, M. f. aurea, M. f. condorensis, M. f. fascicularis, M. f. fusca, M. f. karimondjawae, M. f. lasiae, M. f. philippinensis, M. f. tua, M. f. umbrosa Other names: M. cynomolgus or M. irus; crab-eating macaque, cynomolgus monkey, kera macaque, or longtail macaque; macaque crabier or macaque de buffon (French); macaca cangrejera (Spanish); javaapa or krabbmakak (Swedish); M. f. atriceps: dark-crowned long-tailed macaque; M. f. aurea: Burmese long-tailed macaque; M. f. condorensis: Con Song long-tailed macaque; M. f. fusca : Simeulue long-tailed macaque; M. f. karimondjawae: Kemujan long-tailed macaque; M. f. lasiae: Lasia long-tailed macaque; M. f. philippinensis: Philippine long-tailed macaque; M. f. tua: Maratua long-tailed macaque; M. f. umbrosa: Nicobar long-tailed macaqueMORPHOLOGY
The subspecies of long-tailed macaques vary in color from light brown or grayish to brown fur covering their backs, legs, and arms while their undersides are much lighter (Rowe 1996; Groves 2001). They have pinkish-brown faces and the fur on their heads sweeps back over their forehead, often creating a crest of hair on the top of their heads. Males have mustaches and cheek whiskers that frame their faces while females have beards as well as cheek whiskers. Both males and females have white coloration on the eyelids near the nose (Rowe 1996). The defining characteristic, for which they are named, is their extraordinarily long tail that is almost always longer than their height from head to rump, and ranges in length between 400 and 655 mm (1.31 and 2.15 ft) (Fa 1989; Groves 2001). Infants have a natal coat and are born black, changing to the adult pelage as they mature (Rowe 1996). By two to three months of age, they begin to lose their black coat and by one year, they have the adult coloration (Fooden 1995). Like other macaques (Macaca), long-tailed macaques are sexually dimorphic (Dittus 2004). Males measure between 412 and 648 mm (1.35 and 2.13 ft) and weigh, on average, between 4.7 and 8.3 kg (10.4 and 18.3 lb). Females measure only 385 to 503 mm (1.26 to 1.74 ft) and have average weights between 2.5 and 5.7 kg (5.5 and 12.6 lb) (Fa 1989). In addition to being taller and heavier, males have much larger canine teeth than females (Dittus 2004). Macaques have cheek pouches in which they can store food as they forage, and transport it away from the foraging site to eat (Lucas & Corlett 1998).
Macaca fascicularis
RANGE
CURRENT RANGE MAPS (IUCN REDLIST): Macaca fascicularis Long-tailed macaques are widespread throughout the islands of Southeast Asia into mainland Asia. They are found in the Philippines, in mainland Malaysia and on Borneo, in Indonesia on Sumatra, Java, Timor, and the Lesser Sunda Islands, in Burma, in India on the Nicobar Islands, and in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand (Fittinghoff & Lindburg 1980; Groves 2001). Longtail macaques are also found on Angaur Island, Palau where they were introduced in the 1900s. During the period of German rule, miners are said to have brought a pair of long-tailed macaques to the island the entire population is thought to have arisen from these two animals (Poirier & Smith 1974). They were also introduced to Tinjil Island, Indonesia in 1988 as part of the establishment of a natural habitat breeding facility to supply biomedical research (Fittinghoff & Lindburg 1980; Kyes 1993). These breeding colonies were established after a 1981 meeting of the World Health Organization which resulted in the promotion of natural breeding colonies in habitat countries that would serve as supply populations for essential biomedical research while conserving other populations of the same species (Kyes et al. 1998). Prior to the introductions in Palau and Indonesia, long-tailed macaques were introduced by Portuguese explorers to the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. This introduction is thought to have occurred at least as early as the 17th century, but could have been as early as the 16th century. This population has since grown to about 35,000 animals and these long-tailed macaques are culled and exported for use in biomedical research (Sussman & Tattersall 1986; Bonnotte 2001).HABITAT
Long-tailed macaques live in primary, secondary, coastal, mangrove, swamp, and riverine forests from sea level up to elevations of 2000 m (6561 ft) (Rowe 1996; Supriatna et al. 1996). They prefer forested areas near water and are found in higher densities near riverbanks, lakeshores, or along the seacoast (van Schaik et al. 1996). They preferentially utilize secondary forest, especially if it borders human settlement, where they have access to gardens and farms to crop-raid (Crockett & Wilson 1980; Sussman & Tattersall 1986). Long-tailed macaques are found in tropical rain forests characterized by warm, humid climate and heavy seasonal rainfall (Supriatna et al. 1996; Umapathy et al. 2003). The rainy season in Southeast Asia lasts from about September to May, with average monthly rainfall between 140 and 300 mm (5.5 and 11.8 in) and with less rainfall from June through August or September (Lucas & Corlett 1991; Yeager 1996; Umapathy et al. 2003). Annual rainfall ranges between 2100 and 4500 mm (6.89 to 14.8 ft) per year (Cannon & Leighton 1994; Melisch & Dirgayusa 1996).ECOLOGY

Macaca fascicularis

Macaca fascicularis
Content last modified: January 6, 2006
Written by Kristina Cawthon Lang. Reviewed by Carolyn Crockett.
Cite this page as: Cawthon Lang KA. 2006 January 6. Primate Factsheets: Long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) Taxonomy, Morphology, & Ecology . <http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/long-tailed_macaque/taxon>. Accessed 2020 July 17.
SOCIAL ORGANIZATION AND BEHAVIOR

Macaca fascicularis

Macaca fascicularis
REPRODUCTION
Reproductive output is linked to dominance status among female long-tailed macaques. The highest-ranking females have more offspring over their lifetimes than lower-ranking females, not only because they begin to reproduce at a younger age but also because their offspring have a higher chance of survival (van Noordwijk & van Schaik 1999). Some factors that contribute to the higher rate of survival for high-ranking females’ offspring include: better access to food, a more central position in the main foraging group which offers protected from predators and a decreased likelihood of being harassed by low-ranking females (van Noordwijk & van Schaik 1987). Long-tailed macaques exhibit birth seasonality, which varies slightly across their range. In Gunung Leuser National Park on Sumatra, the majority of the births occur between July and November (van Noordwijk & van Schaik 1999). Where they are studied on West Java, there is a concentration of births in January and February (Engelhardt et al. 2004). Female reproductive success is linked to food availability; during years of high food abundance, birth rates are higher than years with food scarcity and in years with mast fruiting events, births occur earlier and are more frequent than in years with average fruit availability (van Noordwijk & van Schaik 1987; van Schaik & van Noordwijk 1988).
Macaca fascicularis
PARENTAL CARE
Long-tailed macaque mothers are the primary caregivers of their newborn infants and are very protective of them, not allowing infants out of their grasp (Wheatley 1999). During the first weeks of life, the mother long-tailed macaque maintains contact with her infant almost constantly, but as the infant ages the amount of contact decreases (Meishvili et al. 1991). By four months, the mother spends significantly less time in contact with the infant and begins to exhibit normal ovarian cycles again. By the time the infant is 10 or 11 months of age the mother sharp rejects it and may act aggressively if it tries to nurse. (Meishvili et al. 1991).
Macaca fascicularis
COMMUNICATION
Long-tailed macaques have an extensive vocal communication repertoire for use in many situations. There are two general classes of long-tailed macaque vocalizations, “harsh” and “clear” calls. Some important “harsh calls” are the “kra call,” named for its sound, that are performed by allage and sex classes and are used in both mildly and highly excited macaques to show alarm and are named for their sound; “alarm calls,” given by long-tailed macaques in the presence of a potential predator or when they feel threatened and are made of three to five, chirp-like pulses and “barks” which are heard during aggressive interactions between individuals (Palombit 1992; Wheatley 1999). “Clear calls” include a variety of “coos,” which promote friendly interactions and avoid aggression between individuals and are heard between subordinate and dominant females as well as infants calling to their mothers (Wheatley 1999). Other calls include “screams” which are calls heard in aggressive interactions, especially by subordinates that are being victimized, “affiliation calls” given by females in an attempt to get closer to another female’s infant, and “geckers” heard from infants during weaning conflicts or when in other situations of conflict (Wheatley 1999).Content last modified: January 6, 2006
Written by Kristina Cawthon Lang. Reviewed by Carolyn Crockett.
Cite this page as: Cawthon Lang KA. 2006 January 6. Primate Factsheets: Long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) Behavior . <http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/long-tailed_macaque/behav>. Accessed 2020 July 17.
INTERNATIONAL STATUS
For individual primate species conservation status, please search the IUCN Red List. Also search the current scientific literature for primate conservation status (overall as well as for individual species), and visit CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).CONSERVATION THREATS & POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS

Macaca fascicularis
Threat: Invasive Alien Species
Though there are no data available for the effects of invasive alien species on long-tailed macaque conservation, the long-tailed macaque is itself an invasive alien species causing serious damage to parts of its range where it has been introduced and populations grow unchecked due to a lack of natural predators (Poirier & Smith 1974; Crockett pers. comm.). For example, the population of long-tailed macaques established on the island of Mauritius has created serious conservation concerns for other endemic species. With no natural predators on the island, the long-tailed macaque population has grown unchecked for almost a half century (Stanley 2003). They consume seeds of native plants and help spread exotic weeds throughout the forests, changing the composition of native forests, causing them to be quickly overrun by invasive plant species. They also have directly contributed to the near extinction of several bird species on Mauritius, including the Mauritian green parrot and the pink pigeon. Long-tailed macaques destroy the nests of these birds as they move through their home ranges and cause direct mortality by eating the eggs of these critically endangered species (Stanley 2003; Temple pers. comm.).Threat: Persecution
Though they are not currently threatened, long-tailed macaques are subject to persecution where they come into contact with humans as crop raiders. They can be serious agricultural pests, raiding gardens and eating fruits including oranges, bananas, and coconuts as well as staple crops such as taro, sweet potatoes, rice, and cassava root. This relationship has probably been going on since human agriculture began in the range of long-tailed macaques. In response, humans often shoot the monkeys and can eliminate entire local populations (Wheatley et al. 1999).Threat: Human Disturbance
Harvesting long-tailed macaques for biomedical research was once a serious threat to survival but this practice has largely ended (Supriatna et al. 1996). A natural habitat breeding colony in Indonesia was established in the 1980s in order to harvest from semi-wild, managed populations instead of natural populations (Kyes et al. 1998).LINKS TO MORE ABOUT CONSERVATION
CONSERVATION INFORMATION
- No current links for Macaca fascicularis
- Links for all species
CONSERVATION NEWS
- Conservationists sound alarm over macaque (AFP; July 15, 2011)
- Impact of the Japan earthquake and tsunami on animals and environment (Scientific American; March 22, 2011)
- Monkey business puts macaques in danger (Sydney Morning Herald; October 3, 2007)
- Monkey export ban lifted (The Star, Malaysia; August 18, 2007)
- Malaysia seizes 900 monkeys from poachers (Reuters; July 9, 2007)
- Links for all species
ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED IN Macaca fascicularis CONSERVATION
- LVDI International
- Primarily Primates
- Frisky’s Wildlife and Primate Sanctuary Inc.
- Israeli Primate Sanctuary
- Animal Sanctuary of the United States-Wild Animal Orphanage
- Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand
- Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Inc.
Content last modified: January 6, 2006
Written by Kristina Cawthon Lang. Reviewed by Carolyn Crockett.
Cite this page as: Cawthon Lang KA. 2006 January 6. Primate Factsheets: Long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) Conservation . <http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/long-tailed_macaque/cons>. Accessed 2020 July 17.
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Am J Primatol 31(1): 77-83. Kyes RC, Sajuthi D, Iskandar E, Iskandriati D, Pamungkas J, Crockett CM. 1998. Management of a natural habitat breeding colony of longtailed macaques. Tropic Biodiv 5(2): 127-37. Lucas PW, Corlett RT. 1991. Relationship between the diet of Macaca fascicularis and forest phenology. Folia 57(4): 201-15. Lucas PW, Corlett RT. 1998. Seed dispersal by long-tailed macaques. Am J Primatol 45(1): 29-44. Meishvili NV, Chalyan VG, Vancatova MA. 1991. Mother-infant relationships in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). Prim Rep 29: 21-6. Melisch R, Dirgayusa IWA. 1996. Notes on the grizzled leaf monkey (Presbytis comata) from two nature reserves in West Java, Indonesia. Asian Prim 6(1-2): 5-11. Palombit RA. 1992. A preliminary study of vocal communication in wild long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis). I. Vocal repertoire and call emission. Int J Primatol 13(2): 143-82. Poirier FE, Smith EO. 1974. The crab-eating macaques (Macaca fascicularis) of Angaur Island, Palau, Micronesia. Folia Primatol 22: 258-306. Rodman PS. 1991. Structural differentiation of microhabitats of sympatric Macaca fascicularis and M. nemestrina in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Int J Primatol 12(4): 357-75. Rowe N. 1996. The pictorial guide to the living primates. East Hampton (NY): Pogonias Pr. 263 p. Son VD. 2003. Diet of Macaca fascicularis in a mangrove forest, Vietnam. Lab Prim News 42(4): 1-5. Son VD. 2004. Time budgets of Macaca fascicularis in a mangrove forest, Vietnam. Lab Prim News 43(3): 1-4. Stanley MA. 2003. The breeding of naturally occurring B virus-free cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) on the island of Mauritius. In: [Anonymous]. International perspectives: the future nonhuman primate resources; Apr 17-19; Bogor, Indonesia. Washington DC: Natl Acad Pr. p 46-8. Supriatna J, Yanuar A, Martarinza, Wibisono HT, Sinaga R, Sidik I, Iskcandar S. 1996. A preliminary survey of long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis and Macaca nemestrina) in Lampung, Bengkulu, and Jampi provinces, Southern Sumatera, Indonesia. Tropic Biodiv 3(2): 131-40. Sussman RW, Tattersall I. 1986. Distribution, abundance, and putative ecological strategy of Macaca fascicularis on the island of Mauritius, southwestern Indian Ocean. Folia Primatol 46(1): 28-43. Umapathy G, Singh M, Mohnot SM. 2003. Status and distribution of Macaca fascicularis umbrosa in the Nicobar Islands, India. Int J Primatol 24(2): 281-93. Ungar PS. 1996. Feeding height and niche separation in sympatric Sumatran monkeys and apes. Folia Primatol 67(3): 163-8. van Noordwijk MA, van Schaik CP. 1987. Competition among female long-tailed macaques, Macaca fascicularis. Anim Behav 35(2): 577-89. van Noordwijk MA, van Schaik CP. 1999. The effects of dominance rank and group size on female lifetime reproductive success in wild long-tailed macaques, Macaca fascicularis. Primates 40(1): 105-30. van Noordwijk MA, van Schaik CP. 2001. Career moves: transfer and rank challenge decisions by male long-tailed macaques. Behaviour 138: 359-95. van Schaik CP, van Amerongen A, van Noordwijk MA. 1996. Riverine refuging by wild Sumatran long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis). In: Fa JE, Lindburg DG, editors. Evolution and ecology of macaque societies. Cambridge (UK): Cambridge Univ Pr. p 160-81. van Schaik CP, van Noordwijk MA. 1985. Evolutionary effect of the absence of felids on the social organization of the macaques on the island of Simeulue (Macaca fascicularis, Miller 1903). Folia Primatol 44(3-4): 138-47. van Schaik CP, van Noordwijk MA. 1988. Scramble and contest in feeding competition among female long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Behaviour 105: 77-98. Varavudhi P, Suwanprasert K, Settheetham W. 1992. Reproductive endocrinology of free-ranging adult cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) in Thailand. In: Matano S, Tuttle RH, Ishida H, Goodman M, editors. Topics in primatology, Volume 3: evolutionary biology, reproductive endocrinology, and virology. Tokyo (Japan): Univ Tokyo Pr. p 337-45. Wheatley BP. 1980. Feeding and ranging of east Bornean Macaca fascicularis. In: Lindburg DG, editor. The macaques: studies in ecology, behavior, and evolution. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold. p 215-46. Wheatley BP. 1991. The role of femailes in inter-troop encounters and infanticide among Balinese Macaca fascicularis. Prim Today. P 169-72. Wheatley BP. 1999. The sacred monkeys of Bali. Prospect Heights (IL): Waveland Pr. 189 p. Wheatley BP, Stephenson R, Kurashina H. 1999. The effects of hunting on the longtailed macaques of Ngeaur Island, Palau. In: Dolhinow P, Fuentes A, editors. The nonhuman primates. Mountain View (CA): Mayfield. p 159-63. Wich SA, Fredriksson G, Sterck EHM. 2002. Measuring fruit patch size for three sympatric Indonesian primate species. Primates 43(1): 19-2 7. Yeager CP. 1996. Feeding ecology of the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) in Kalimantan Tengah, Indonesia. Int J Primatol 17(1): 51-62.Content last modified: January 6, 2006
IMAGES
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Macaca fascicularis Photo: Anne Savage |
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Macaca fascicularis Photo: Anne Zeller |
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Macaca fascicularis Photo: Diana Mossman |
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Macaca fascicularis Photo: John Handford |
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Macaca fascicularis Photo: Roy Fontaine |
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Macaca fascicularis Photo: Roy Fontaine |
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Macaca fascicularis Photo: Roy Fontaine |
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Macaca fascicularis Photo: Roy Fontaine |
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Macaca fascicularis Photo: Roy Fontaine |
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Macaca fascicularis Photo: Roy Fontaine |
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Macaca fascicularis Photo: Roy Fontaine |
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