关键词: 海南岛, 海南猕猴, 数量和分布, 主要威胁

Abstract: Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) is a second-class protected species in China, and its subspecies the Hainan macaque (M. m. brevicaudus) is only found in Hainan Island, at the lowest latitude in China. Information on population size and spatial distribution of this subspecies dated from 30 years ago. It is urgent to obtain population size and distribution as the baseline information for the sake of conservation of Hainan macaques. From June 2021 to December 2023, a systematic survey of this subspecies was conducted via literature, questionnaire, and field investigation. We found 204 groups (5 100 individuals) of Hainan macaques inhabiting Hainan Island. These groups occupied less than 1% of the island area, mainly in the southern mountainous region. The average group size of the Hainan macaque is 25 ±11 individuals, which is the smallest among the six rhesus macaque subspecies in China. Eight isolated subpopulations of those 204 groups were identified based on their spatial distances and living status. Over the past 30 years, the distribution range of Hainan macaques has markedly shrunk, and the number of counties where the species has been recorded reduced from 18 to 10. About 96. 1% of the macaque groups are now restricted to nature reserves. We suggest those isolated groups should be paid more attention for the sake of conservation, especially the group in Wenchang. Strong human disturbance, habitat degradation, and habitat loss are the main threats to the survival of Hainan macaques.

Key words: Hainan Island, Hainan macaques, Population size and distribution, Survival threat