In which of the following states is lion-tailed macaque found in its natural habitats? 1. Tamil Nadu 2. Kerala 3. Karnataka 4. Andhra Pradesh Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

The lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus) is a primate endemic to the tropical rainforests of the Western Ghats in southern India [4]. Its natural habitat is strictly confined to the evergreen forest patches of three states: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka [1]. Specifically, it is found in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which spans these three states [1], and in protected areas like Silent Valley National Park in Kerala [3]. While historical ranges may have extended further north into Maharashtra, current populations are restricted to the southern Western Ghats. Andhra Pradesh is not part of its natural habitat, as the state primarily contains the Eastern Ghats, which lack the specific rainforest ecosystem required by this species [3]. Therefore, the macaque is naturally found only in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.

Sources

1. [4] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 11: Schedule Animals of WPA 1972 > l{"4 E}IVIROilIMEHE. fr)l > p. 178
2. [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and National Parks > Table 5.8 > p. 49
3. [3] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > Himalayas and east and south east Asia > p. 9