Sela macaque

Macaca selai, the Sela macaque, is a macaque species endemic to Arunachal Pradesh in northeastern India. It was formally described in 2022 from molecular and morphological evidence and is recognised as distinct from the Arunachal macaque, Macaca munzala, whose eastern population it was previously counted with. Genetic evidence shows that the Sela Pass acted as a long-term barrier to gene flow, so the two populations diverged by allopatric speciation, and the species is named after that pass. It is a medium sized macaque with dense brownish-yellow fur, a pink face and prominent ears, and is distinguished from the Arunachal macaque by a paler face and lighter brown coat. Reports give a body length of about 71 to 82 centimetres, with males somewhat larger than females. Local farmers usually see the monkeys as crop pests and may try to catch or kill them, and this retaliatory hunting is described as the main threat. The IUCN has not yet evaluated the species.