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Friday Nov 15, 2024
Saturday, 15 October 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The discovery of a rare variety of animal species is always an exciting juncture for wildlife enthusiasts. Hence the discovery of the Southern Purple Faced Leaf Langur Galanthus Colour Morph by researchers of the Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle supported by financial assistance from Nations Trust Bank marks a breakthrough in the bio diversity studies conducted in the country.
The Sri Lankan Leaf Langur (Purple Faced leaf Langur) was previously thought to be in the Trachipithecus genus. However the molecular analysis of Karanth et al (2008) proved that Purple Faced Leaf Langur belonged to the Semnopithecus genus instead. This brings the Sri Lankan Leaf Langur into the family of the Hanuman Langur. However the Sri Lankan species is endemic to the island.
There are four sub species of this variety of Langurs’ found on various locations across the country. One such sub species is the Southern purple-faced Leaf Langur. These Langur type is usually black in body and limb with reddish brown tints, frostings of white with white throat and whiskers. However the primate collection at the National Museum shows evidence that colour differences in these species existed to a certain degree even in the 1990s.
An extensive study into the Southern purple-faced Leaf Langur has been carried out for the past two years through Nation Trust Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility activities, which enabled researchers to analyze distribution, feeding ecology and behavior of this subspecies. Tracking and recording GPS location was part of the research process.
During this research process, which involved the tracking of twenty-six troops, researchers came across individuals with an unusual white colour morph. There is no evidence to suggest full albinism of Galanthus (Etymology: Named for its white body colour, Galanthus = Snow white) morph due to the fact that despite sporting white coats, these species had black naked parts of the face, no red eyes and had beige or brown crown hair. 30+ Individuals of Galanthus colour morph were observed among 14 troops mainly from rain forest and rain forest associated habitats.
Commenting on this discovery NTB CEO Saliya Rajakaruna said: “We are pleased to announce the discovery of this interesting new sub species. The research was funded as a part of our Hiyare Project, where the bank has committed to maintain 600 acres of rainforest while conducting breeding, animal rescue and education programmes for school children. This is a notable achievement in terms of the country’s biodiversity studies and we are proud to be part of it.”
Whilst initial work has proved satisfactory and there has been tremendous success, the unearthing of a new colour morph among a primate species has led to the need for more research. Nation Trust Bank’s continued support for Wild Life Conservation and Study has proved to be invaluable in the development of this field in Sri Lanka.
