Implications of genetics and current protected areas for conservation of 5 endangered primates in China

China's endangered primates face severe threats from habitat fragmentation, with genetic studies revealing distinct subpopulations of five species (Rhinopithecus roxellana, R. bieti, R. brelichi, Trachypithecus francoisi, and T. leucocephalus) that are isolated by agricultural land, grazing meadows, highways, and human settlements. These subpopulations exhibit strong genetic divergence and limited mobility, making them vulnerable to local extinction and loss of diversity. Current protected areas are unevenly distributed, leaving some fragmented subpopulations at higher risk. To preserve genetic diversity, the study prioritizes protection for specific subpopulations, including R. roxellana in Shennongjia National Reserve, certain subpopulations of R. bieti and R. brelichi in Fanjingshan National Reserve, and all three T. leucocephalus subpopulations in central Guangxi Province.

Liu, Z., Liu, G., Roos, C., Wang, Z., Xiang, Z., Zhu, P., Wang, B., Ren, B., Shi, F., Pan, H., & Li, M. (2015). Implications of genetics and current protected areas for conservation of 5 endangered primates in China. Conservation Biology, 29(6), 1508–1517. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.12581