Context

Scientists of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new macaque species in Arunachal Pradesh.

About

About the species:

• A new species of old world monkey recorded from Arunachal Pradesh has been named after a strategic mountain pass at 13,700 ft above sea level.
• Sela macaque (Macacaselai), the new-to-science primate was identified and analysed by a team of experts from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and the University of Calcutta.
• The new species was found in western and central parts of Arunachal Pradesh.
  
• The Sela macaque was geographically separated from the Arunachal macaque (Macacamunzala) by Sela, the Eastern Himalayan pass at 13,700 ft.
• Sela Pass acted as a barrier and prevented migration between the two macaque species for around two million years.

Physical Features of Sela macaque:

• The Sela macaque is genetically closer to the Arunachal macaque and both species have many similar physical characteristics such as heavy built and long dorsal body hair.
• The Arunachal macaque has a dark face and dark brown colour coat, while the Sela macaque has a pale face and brown colour coat.
• The Sela macaque has a tail longer than the Tibetan macaque, Assamese macaque, Arunachal macaque and the white-cheeked macaque but shorter than the bonnet macaque and toque macaque.
• Arunachal macaque (M. munzala) is an endangered and recently discovered cercopithecine primate from Western Arunachal Pradesh, India.