TAIL CARRIAGE IN PIG-TAILED MACAQUES (Macaca nemestrina)

摘要

Tail carriage in non-human primates makes an interesting study. Even sub-specific variations are often recognized on the basis of tail carriage, at least as one of the keys to identification. In the case of the pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina Linn.), the tail carriage is significant as is evident from its popular English name. Fooden (1975) gave a detailed account of the tail carriage of three subspecies of Macaca nemestrina. In fact, tail carriage is an important key to identification of all three races of the pig-tailed macaque. M. nemestrina leonina carries its tail arched forward over its back, with the tip of the tail directed upward and forward, while M. nemestrina nemestrina carries its tail arched rearward, with the tip of the tail directed downward. M. nemestrina pelops carries its tail almost like the nominate race. Groves (2001) has even suggested full species treatment to leonina and the tail carriage was one of its diagnostic features.