Editing Semnopithecus (section)

==Taxonomy==
[[File:Gray Langur - Young.jpg|thumb|Young gray langur at [[Nagarhole National Park]], [[Mysore]]]]
[[File:Hanuman Langur or Gray Langur.jpg|thumb|Hanuman langur in [[Nandankanan Zoological Park]] in Bhubaneshwar]]
Traditionally, only ''Semnopithecus entellus'' was recognized as a species, the remainder all being treated as [[subspecies]]. In 2001, it was proposed that seven species should be recognized.<ref name=Groves2001/> This was followed in ''[[Mammal Species of the World]]'' in 2005,<ref name=msw3/> though several of the seven species [[intergrade]], and alternative treatments exist where only two species (a northern and a southern) are recognized.<ref name=Brandon-Jones/> [[Phylogenetic]] evidence supports at least three species: a north Indian, a south Indian and a Sri Lankan one.<ref name=Phylogenetic>{{cite journal |last1=Osterholz |first1=M. |last2=Walter |first2=L. |last3=Roos |first3=C. |title=Phylogenetic position of the langur genera ''Semnopithecus'' and ''Trachypithecus'' among Asian colobines, and genus affiliations of their species groups |journal=BMC Evolutionary Biology |volume=8 |year=2008 |pages=58|doi=10.1186/1471-2148-8-58 |pmid=18298809 |pmc=2268674 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name=molecular>{{cite journal |last=Karanth |first=P. |title=Molecular systematics and conservation of the langurs and leaf monkeys of South Asia |journal=Journal of Genetics |year=2010 |url=https://www.ias.ac.in/article/fulltext/jgen/089/04/0393-0399 |volume=89 |issue=4 |pages=393–399 |doi=10.1007/s12041-010-0057-3 |pmid=21273689 |s2cid=17712174 |access-date=2019-02-08|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

It has been suggested that the ''[[Tufted gray langur|Semnopithecus priam]] thersites'' is worthy of treatment as a species rather than a subspecies, but at present this is based on limited evidence.<ref>{{Cite iucn |author=Molur, S. |author2=Singh, M. |author3=Kumar, A. |title=''Semnopithecus priam'' |page=e.T135440A4128558 |date=2008}}</ref> During a study based on external [[Morphology (biology)|morphology]] and [[ecological niche modelling]] in [[Peninsular India]] six main types were found, but continued to label all as subspecies. Coat color is highly variable, possible due to [[phenotypic plasticity]] and therefore of questionable value in species delimitation.<ref name=Nag>{{cite journal |last=Nag |first=C. |author2=Karanth, P. |title=Taxonomic implications of a field study of morphotypes of hanuman langurs (''Semnopithecus entellus'') in Peninsular India |journal=International Journal of Primatology |year=2011 |volume=32 |issue=4 |pages=830–848 |doi=10.1007/s10764-011-9504-0 |s2cid=22233326 |url=http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/biodiversity/pubs/ces_pubs/pubs_2011/theme1_05.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author1=Nag, C. |author2=Praveen, K. K. |author3=Vasudeva, G. K. |title=Delineating ecological boundaries of hanuman langur species complex in Peninsular India using MaxEnt modeling approach |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=e87804 |year=2014 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0087804 |pmid=24498377 |pmc=3912124 |bibcode=2014PLoSO...987804C |doi-access=free}}</ref>

It has been suggested that ''[[Trachypithecus]]'' should be considered only a subgenus of ''Semnopithecus''.<ref name=Brandon-Jones/> If maintaining the two as separate [[monophyletic]] genera, the [[purple-faced langur]] and [[Nilgiri langur]] belong in ''Semnopithecus'' instead of their former genus ''Trachypithecus''. At present it is unclear where the ''T. pileatus'' species group (consisting of the [[capped langur]], [[Shortridge's langur]] and [[Gee's golden langur]]) belongs, as available [[mtDNA]] data place it in ''Semnopithecus'', while [[Y chromosome]] data place it in ''Trachypithecus''.<ref name=Phylogenetic/>  A possible explanation for this is that the ''T. pileatus'' species group is the result of fairly recent [[hybrid (biology)|hybridization]] between ''Semnopithecus'' and ''Trachypithecus''.<ref name=molecular/>

As of 2005, the authors of ''[[Mammal Species of the World]]'' recognized the following seven ''Semnopithecus'' species<ref name=msw3/>
* [[Nepal gray langur]] ''Semnopithecus schistaceus''
* [[Kashmir gray langur]] ''Semnopithecus ajax''
* [[Tarai gray langur]] ''Semnopithecus hector''
* [[Northern plains gray langur]] ''Semnopithecus entellus''
* [[Black-footed gray langur]] ''Semnopithecus hypoleucos''
* [[Southern plains gray langur]] ''Semnopithecus dussumieri''
* [[Tufted gray langur]] ''Semnopithecus priam''

Results of analysis of mitochondrial [[cytochrome b]] gene and two [[nuclear DNA]]-encoded genes of several colobine species revealed that Nilgiri and purple-faced langurs cluster with gray langur, while ''Trachypithecus'' species form a distinct clade.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of langurs and leaf monkeys of South Asia (Primates: Colobinae) |author=Karanth, K. P. |author2=Singh, L. |author3=Collura, R. V. |author4=Stewart, C. B. |journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution |volume=46 |year=2008 |issue=2 |pages=683–694 |pmid=18191589 |doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2007.11.026 |url=http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/biodiversity/pubs/ces_pubs/pubs_2008/theme1_08.pdf}}</ref> Since then, two other species have been moved from ''Trachypithecus'' to ''Semnopithecus'':<ref name=handbook>{{cite book |title=Handbook of the Mammals of the World, Volume 3: Primates |chapter=Introduction |edition=1st |author=Wilson, Don E. |author2=Mittermeier, Russell A. |author3=Rylands, Anthony B. |url=https://www.lynxeds.com/hmw/introduction/introduction-hmw-volume-3-primates |access-date=2018-08-30 |year=2013 |publisher=Lynx Edicions |isbn=978-8496553897}}</ref><ref name=asian>{{cite journal |author=Roos, C. |author2=Boonratana, R. |author3=Supriatna, J. |author4=Fellowes, J. R. |author5=Groves, C. P. |author6=Nash, S. D. |author7=Rylands, A. B. |author8=Mittermeier, R. A. |year=2014 |title=An updated taxonomy and conservation status review of Asian primates |journal=Asian Primates Journal |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=2–38 |url=http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/1200343/25106535/1403670682630/2014June24_APJ_Vol4_1.pdf?token=EY6Cm%2BAdyf9lSBug8Jv%2BeF%2B%2BPDM%3D}}</ref>
* [[Purple-faced langur]] ''Semnopithecus vetulus''
* [[Nilgiri langur]] ''Semnopithecus johnii''

In addition, ''Semnopithecus dussumieri'' has been determined to be invalid.<ref name=Nag/><ref name=asian/><ref name=mdd>{{cite web |title=Semnopithecus |url=https://mammaldiversity.org/#c2Vtbm9waXRoZWN1cyZnbG9iYWxfc2VhcmNoPXRydWUmbG9vc2U9dHJ1ZQ |publisher=Mammal Diversity Database |access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref><ref name=itis>{{cite web |title=Semnopithecus |url=https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt |publisher=ITIS |access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref>  Most of the range that had been considered ''S. dussumieri'' is now considered ''S. entellus''.<ref name=handbook/><ref name=asian/>

Thus the current generally accepted species within the genus ''Semnopithecus'' are:<ref name=asian/><ref name=mdd/><ref name=itis/>
{{Species table |no-note=y |genus=[[Semnopithecus]] |authority-name=[[Anselme Gaëtan Desmarest|Desmarest]] |authority-year=1822 |species-count=eight|narrow-percent=75}}
{{Species table/row
|name=[[Black-footed gray langur]] |binomial=S. hypoleucos
|image=File:Black_Footed_Langur_Log_Nagarhole_Dec21_D72_21387.jpg |image-size=135px |image-alt=Gray monkey
|authority-name=[[Edward Blyth|Blyth]] |authority-year=1841
|subspecies={{Collapsible list |expand=yes |title=Three subspecies |bullets=on
| ''S. h. achates''
| ''S. h. hypoleucos''
| ''S. h. iulus''
}}
|range=Southern India |range-image=File:Black-footed_Gray_Langur_area.png |range-image-size=161px
|size={{convert|41|–|78|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} long, plus {{convert|69|–|108|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} tail<ref name="PrimWorld160"/><!-- Genus info -->
|habitat=Forest and shrubland<ref name="IUCNBlack-footedgraylangur"/>
|hunting=Leaves, fruit, and flowers<ref name="PrimWorld160"/><!-- Genus info -->
|iucn-status=LC |population=Unknown
|direction={{decrease|Population declining}}<ref name="IUCNBlack-footedgraylangur"/>
}}
{{Species table/row
|name=[[Kashmir gray langur]] |binomial=S. ajax
|image= |image-size=180px |image-alt=
|authority-name=[[Reginald Innes Pocock|Pocock]]|authority-not-original=yes |authority-year=1928
|range=[[Himalayas]] |range-image=File:Kashmir_Gray_Langur_area.png |range-image-size=161px
|size={{convert|41|–|78|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} long, plus {{convert|69|–|108|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} tail<ref name="PrimWorld160"/><!-- Genus info -->
|habitat=Forest<ref name="IUCNKashmirgraylangur"/>
|hunting=Leaves, bark, and seeds<ref name="IUCNKashmirgraylangur"/>
|iucn-status=EN |population=1,400–1,500
|direction={{decrease|Population declining}}<ref name="IUCNKashmirgraylangur"/>
}}
{{Species table/row
|name=[[Nepal gray langur]] |binomial=S. schistaceus
|image=File:Nepal_gray_langur,_Bhutan.jpg |image-size=128px |image-alt=Gray monkey
|authority-name=[[Brian Houghton Hodgson|Hodgson]] |authority-year=1840
|range=Himalayas |range-image=File:Nepal_Gray_Langur_area.png |range-image-size=161px
|size={{convert|41|–|78|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} long, plus {{convert|69|–|108|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} tail<ref name="PrimWorld160"/><!-- Genus info -->
|habitat=Forest, shrubland, and rocky areas<ref name="IUCNNepalgraylangur"/>
|hunting=Leaves and fruit, as well as seeds, roots, flowers, bark, twigs, coniferous cones, moss, lichens, ferns, shoots, rhizomes, grass, and invertebrate animals<ref name="IUCNNepalgraylangur"/>
|iucn-status=LC |population=Unknown
|direction={{decrease|Population declining}}<ref name="IUCNNepalgraylangur"/>
}}
{{Species table/row
|name=[[Nilgiri langur]] |binomial=S. johnii
|image=File:Nilgiri langur (1) by N. A. Naseer.jpg |image-size=122px |image-alt=Gray monkey
|authority-name=[[Johann Baptist Fischer|J. Fischer]] |authority-year=1829 |authority-not-original=yes
|range= |range-image=File:Nilgiri Langur area.png |range-image-size=180px
|size={{convert|41|–|78|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} long, plus {{convert|69|–|108|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} tail<ref name="PrimWorld160"/><!-- Genus info -->
|habitat=Forest<ref name="IUCNNilgirilangur"/>
|hunting=Leaves, fruit, and flowers<ref name="PrimWorld160"/><!-- Genus info -->
|iucn-status=VU |population=9,500–10,000
|direction={{steady|Population steady}}<ref name="IUCNNilgirilangur"/>
}}
{{Species table/row
|name=[[Northern plains gray langur]] |binomial=S. entellus
|image=File:Northern_plains_gray_langur.jpg |image-size=120px |image-alt=Gray monkey
|authority-name=[[Louis Dufresne|Dufresne]] |authority-year=1797 |authority-not-original=yes
|range=India |range-image=File:Bengal_Gray_Langur_area.png |range-image-size=161px
|size={{convert|41|–|78|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} long, plus {{convert|69|–|108|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} tail<ref name="PrimWorld160"/><!-- Genus info -->
|habitat=Forest, savanna, and shrubland<ref name="IUCNNorthernplainsgraylangur"/>
|hunting=Leaves, fruit, and flowers, as well as insects, bark, gum, and soil<ref name="ADWNorthernplainsgraylangur"/>
|iucn-status=LC |population=Unknown
|direction={{decrease|Population declining}}<ref name="IUCNNorthernplainsgraylangur"/>
}}
{{Species table/row
|name=[[Tarai gray langur]] |binomial=S. hector
|image=File:Tarai_Grey_Langur.jpg |image-size=135px |image-alt=Gray monkey
|authority-name=[[Reginald Innes Pocock|Pocock]]|authority-not-original=yes |authority-year=1928
|range=Himalayas |range-image=File:Tarai_Gray_Langur_area.png |range-image-size=161px
|size={{convert|41|–|78|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} long, plus {{convert|69|–|108|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} tail<ref name="PrimWorld160"/><!-- Genus info -->
|habitat=Forest<ref name="IUCNTaraigraylangur"/>
|hunting=Leaves, fruit, and flowers<ref name="PrimWorld160"/><!-- Genus info -->
|iucn-status=NT |population=Unknown
|direction={{decrease|Population declining}}<ref name="IUCNTaraigraylangur"/>
}}
{{Species table/row
|name=[[Tufted gray langur]] |binomial=S. priam
|image=File:Tufted_grey_langur_(Semnopithecus_priam).jpg |image-size=119px |image-alt=Brown monkey
|authority-name=[[Edward Blyth|Blyth]] |authority-year=1844
|subspecies={{Collapsible list |expand=yes |title=Three subspecies |bullets=on
| ''S. p. anchises''
| ''S. p. priam''
| ''S. p. thersites''
}}
|range=Southern India and Sri Lanka |range-image=File:Tufted_Gray_Langur_area.png |range-image-size=180px
|size={{convert|41|–|78|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} long, plus {{convert|69|–|108|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} tail<ref name="PrimWorld160"/><!-- Genus info -->
|habitat=Forest and shrubland<ref name="IUCNTuftedgraylangur"/>
|hunting=Leaves and fruit<ref name="IUCNTuftedgraylangur"/>
|iucn-status=NT |population=Unknown
|direction={{decrease|Population declining}}<ref name="IUCNTuftedgraylangur"/>
}}
{{Species table/row
|name=[[Purple-faced langur]] |binomial=S. vetulus
|image=File:Purple-faced langur (Semnopithecus vetulus vetulus).jpg |image-size=120px |image-alt=Gray monkey
|authority-name=[[Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben|Erxleben]] |authority-year=1777 |authority-not-original=yes
|subspecies={{Collapsible list |expand=yes |title=Four subspecies |bullets=on
| ''T. v. monticola'' (Montane purple-faced langur)
| ''T. v. nestor'' ([[Western purple-faced langur]])
| ''T. v. philbricki'' (Dryzone purple-faced langur)
| ''T. v. vetulus'' (Southern lowland wetzone purple-faced langur)
}}
|range=Sri Lanka |range-image=File:Purple-faced Langur area.png |range-image-size=180px
|size={{convert|41|–|78|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} long, plus {{convert|69|–|108|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} tail<ref name="PrimWorld160"/><!-- Genus info -->
|habitat=Forest<ref name="IUCNPurple-facedlangur"/>
|hunting=Leaves, fruit, flowers, and seeds<ref name="IUCNPurple-facedlangur"/>
|iucn-status=EN |population=Unknown
|direction={{decrease|Population declining}}<ref name="IUCNPurple-facedlangur"/>
}}
{{Species table/end}}

A 2013 genetic study indicated that while ''S. entellus'', ''S. hypoleucos'', ''S. priam'' and ''S. johnii'' are all valid taxa, there has been [[hybrid (biology)|hybridization]] between ''S. priam'' and ''S. johnii''.<ref name=genet>{{cite journal |title=Molecules support morphology: species status of South Indian populations of the widely distributed Hanuman langur |author=Ashalakshmi, N.C. |author2=Nag, K. S. C. |author3=Karanth, K. P. |year=2014 |journal=Conservation Genetics |doi=10.1007/s10592-014-0638-4 |volume=16 |pages=43–58 |s2cid=13993193 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264312011}}</ref>
It also indicated that there has been some hybridization between ''S. entellus'' and ''S. hypoleucos'' where their ranges overlap, and a small amount of hybridization between ''S. hypoleucos'' and ''S. priam''.<ref name=genet/>  It also suggested that ''S. priam'' and ''S. johnii'' diverged from each other fairly recently.<ref name=genet/>