diversity Article Ecology and Conservation of the Laotian langur Trachypithecus laotum in a Protected Area of Laos (Southeast Asia) Johnny Souwideth 1 , Phaivanh Phiapalath 2, Hai Dong Thanh 1, Peter Brakels 3, Thong Pham Van 4 and Luca Luiselli 5,6,7,* 1 Vietnam National University of Forestry, Street 21, Xuan Mai Town, Chuong My District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam;
[email protected] (J.S.);
[email protected] (H.D.T.) 2 Freelance Consultant, Vientiane, Laos;
[email protected] 3 IUCN Vientiane Office, 391/24 Bourichane Road, Ban Naxay, Sayshetta District, Vientiane, Laos;
[email protected] 4 Save Vietnam’s Wildlife, Cuc Phuong National Park, Cuc Phuong Commune, Nho Quan 430000, Vietnam;
[email protected] 5 Institute for Development, Ecology, Conservation and Cooperation, Via G. Tomasi di Lampedusa 33, 00144 Rome, Italy 6 Department of Applied and Environmental Biology, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B. 5080 Port Harcourt, Nigeria 7 Département de Zoologie et Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Lomé, B.P. 1515 Lomé, Togo * Correspondence:
[email protected] Abstract: Terrestrial species from the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) are under high threat due to deforestation and overhunting. Previous studies have even defined these forests as subjected to an “empty forest syndrome”, a condition in which forests that are apparently well preserved are instead almost deprived of vertebrate faunas due to extreme exploitation by local communities. Forest Citation: Souwideth, J.; Phiapalath, specialists, including several primates, are among the most threatened species in the country. The P.; Thanh, H.D.; Brakels, P.; Van, T.P.; Laotian langur (Trachypithecus laotum) is endemic to Lao PDR, is listed as Endangered by the IUCN Luiselli, L.