Barbary macaque and exclusion of monkeys from water sources are major causes of cedar bark stripping behaviour in Barbary macaques. Density of macaques, however, is less correlated with the behaviour than the other causes considered. The Barbary macaque was named by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, along with numerous other species named in that same year. The scientific name is "Macaca sylvanus". Phylogenetic and molecular analysis with other primates has been done. Studies concerning interspecific DNA variation within the genus "Macaca" show that the Barbary macaque is most related to the Asian macaques. Scientists have also studied the Y-chromosome; however, this has proven
Crab-eating macaque of populations due to increased wild trade and rising levels of human-macaque conflict, which are reducing overall population levels despite the species being widely distributed. Each subspecies faces differing levels of threats, and too little information is available on some subspecies to assess their conditions. The "M. f. umbrosa" subspecies is likely of important biological significance and has been recommended as a candidate for protection in the Nicobar Islands, where its small, native population has been seriously fragmented, and is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The Philippine long-tailed macaque ("M. f. philippensis") is listed as near threatened,