Description:
<jats:p><jats:bold>Abstract</jats:bold> The lion‐tailed macaque (<jats:italic>Macaca silenus</jats:italic>) is an endangered species. Research into the genetics of this species is important as a basis for coordinated breeding programs of captive populations. Therefore, we sought to analyze the <jats:italic>Mhc</jats:italic> class II <jats:italic>DRB</jats:italic> genes of this species because of it is highly polymorphic in genetically heterogeneous populations of most species. Ten individuals from seven families were evaluated. Nine <jats:italic>DRB</jats:italic> second exon sequences belonging to eight allelic lineages were identified. These lineages are also present in the best‐studied macaque species: the rhesus (<jats:italic>Macaca mulatta</jats:italic>). Although only these relatively few alleles could be isolated, they display variation on the lineage level. This may be a mechanism for increasing their functional diversity.</jats:p>