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Study Described the Forelimb Bones of an Adult Northern Plains Grey Langur

Northern Plains Grey Langur sitting in a tree
Research · Anatomy & morphology

Researchers in Bangladesh have described the shoulder and forelimb bones of an adult male northern plains grey langur (Semnopithecus entellus), providing a detailed anatomical reference for the species. The study examined the scapula, humerus, radius and ulna from a single animal that had died after an electric shock in Barishal.

The scapula was quadrangular, with a prominent spine and an oval glenoid cavity—the socket that forms the shoulder joint. Its acromion, a projection that provides attachment and leverage for shoulder muscles, was strongly developed. The authors interpret this region as consistent with the stability and mobility needed during arboreal locomotion.

The humerus was elongated with a spirally twisted shaft and prominent muscle-attachment features. The radius had a distinct head and radial tuberosity, another important muscle-attachment site. The ulna was the longest forelimb bone, with a prominent olecranon forming the bony point of the elbow and a large notch that articulates with the humerus. Together, the descriptions provide a structural picture of the shoulder, forearm and elbow rather than evidence from movement measurements themselves.

The single specimen provides a comparative anatomical reference

The specimen was an adult male estimated at 12–15 years old and weighing 25 kg. Because the study was based on one opportunistically obtained specimen, the measurements were treated descriptively rather than with inferential statistics. The animal provides a useful anatomical reference, but cannot show the normal range of variation between individuals, ages or sexes in the species. The authors present the measurements and descriptions as baseline data for comparative anatomy, functional morphology, radiology and forensic identification.

Sources and image credit

  1. Jahid, M. A., Shourov, M. Y. A., Rahman, M. T., Hossain, M. L., Rahman, M. S., & Hussan, M. T. (2026). Morphological and morphometric characterization of forelimb bones in the Hanuman langur (Semnopithecus entellus). Bangladesh Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 65–74. https://doi.org/10.33109/bjvmjd2025zam1Primary research article page lists publication on 18 April 2026. The PDF states received 10 November 2025 and accepted 31 December 2025. The study examined the scapula, humerus, radius and ulna from a single adult male Semnopithecus entellus obtained after fatal electric-shock injuries in Barishal, Bangladesh. Because only one specimen was available, morphometric data were analysed descriptively without inferential statistics. The article is licensed CC BY 4.0.

Image: Giles Laurent / Wikimedia Commons — Northern Plains Grey Langur in Jim Corbett National Park, India, 21 March 2023; representative species image, not the Barishal specimen; cropped to 16:9. · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source

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