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
Macaque macaques have become invasive species in different parts of the world, while others that survive in forest habitats remain threatened. The long-tailed macaque ("Macaca fascicularis") is listed as a threat and invasive alien species in Mauritius along with the rhesus macaques ("Macaca mulatta") in Florida. The long-tailed macaque causes severe damage to parts of its range where it has been introduced because the populations grow unchecked due to a lack of predators. On the island Mauritius, they have created serious conservation concerns for other endemic species. They consume seeds of native plants and aid in the spread of exotic weeds