Difference between revisions of "Gibbon" - New World Encyclopedia

From New World Encyclopedia
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'''Gibbons''' are [[ape]]s that are highly adapted to arboreal life and are found in tropical and subtropical [[rainforest]]s in southeast Asia, from northeast [[India]] to [[Indonesia]] and north to southern [[China]], including the islands of [[Sumatra]], [[Borneo]] and [[Java (island)|Java]]. Also called the '''lesser apes''', gibbons differ from ''great apes'' ([[chimpanzee]]s, [[gorilla]]s, and [[orangutan]]s) in being smaller, with longer arms and dense hair, in not making nests, and in certain anatomical details in which they superficially more closely resemble [[monkey]]s than the great apes do.
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'''Gibbons''' are [[ape]]s that are highly adapted to arboreal life and are found in tropical and subtropical [[rainforest]]s in southeast Asia. Also called the '''lesser apes''', gibbons differ from ''great apes'' ([[chimpanzee]]s, [[gorilla]]s, and [[orangutan]]s) in being smaller, with longer arms and dense hair, in not making nests, and in certain anatomical details in which they superficially more closely resemble [[monkey]]s than the great apes do.
  
 
Although primate taxonomy has undergone many revisions in recent years, gibbonsare generally comprise the family '''Hylobatidae''' of the superfamily Hominoidea (apes) of the Order Primates. This is in contrast to the other main ape family, Hominidae, which includes humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans. However, there are other classification schemes for this later group as well.
 
Although primate taxonomy has undergone many revisions in recent years, gibbonsare generally comprise the family '''Hylobatidae''' of the superfamily Hominoidea (apes) of the Order Primates. This is in contrast to the other main ape family, Hominidae, which includes humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans. However, there are other classification schemes for this later group as well.
  
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There are four systematic groups of gibbons recognized. These were traditionally placed at the level of subgenera within the genus ''Hylobates''. Many current defintions of gibbons include that they belong to this genus. However, in recent years, the four subgenera have been raised to the level of genera, and Geissmann (2006) reports that "recognition of the four groups as full genera is now widespread." These four genera (formerly subgenera) are recognized based on their [[diploid]] [[chromosome]] number: ''[[Hylobates]]'' (44), ''[[Hoolock]]'' (38), ''[[Nomascus]]'' (52), and ''[[Symphalangus]]'' (50) (Mootnick .<ref name=Mootnick/><ref name=Geissmann>{{cite web | last = Geissmann | first = Thomas | title = Gibbon Systematics and Species Identification | url = http://gibbons.de/main/system/intro.html | accessdate = 2006-04-13}}</ref>
+
There are four systematic groups of gibbons recognized. These were traditionally placed at the level of subgenera within the genus ''Hylobates''. Many current defintions of gibbons include that they belong to this genus. However, in recent years, the four subgenera have been raised to the level of genera, and Geissmann (2006a) reports that "recognition of the four groups as full genera is now widespread." These four genera (formerly subgenera) are recognized based on their [[diploid]] [[chromosome]] number: ''[[Hylobates]]'' (44), ''[[Hoolock]]'' (38), ''[[Nomascus]]'' (52), and ''[[Symphalangus]]'' (50) (Mootnick and Groves 2005, Geissmann 2006b).  
  
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The extinct ''[[Bunopithecus sericus]]'' is an extinct gibbon or gibbon-like ape which, until recently, was thought to be closely related to the Hoolock gibbons.<ref name=Mootnick/>
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==Overview==
  
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Gibbons are masters of their primary mode of locomotion, [[brachiation]], swinging from branch to branch distances of up to 15 m (50 ft), at speeds as much as 56 km/h (35 mph). They can also make leaps of up to 8 m (27 ft), and walk bipedally with their arms raised for balance.
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Gibbons are found from northeast [[India]] to [[Indonesia]] and north to southern [[China]], including the islands of [[Sumatra]], [[Borneo]] and [[Java (island)|Java]].
  
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One unique aspect of gibbon physiology is that the wrist is composed of a [[ball and socket joint]], allowing for biaxial movement. This greatly reduces the amount of energy needed in the upper arm and torso, while also reducing stress on the shoulder joint. They also have long hands and feet, with a deep cleft between the first and second digits of their hands. Their fur is usually black, gray, or brownish, often with white markings on hands, feet, and face. Some species have an enlarged throat sac, which inflates and serves as a resonating chamber when the animals call. This structure is enormous in a few species, equalling the size of the animal's head.
+
Gibbons are masters of their primary mode of locomotion, brachiation, swinging from branch to branch, for distances of up to 15 meters (50 ft), at speeds as much as 56 km/h (35 mph). They can also make leaps of up to 8 meters (27 ft), and walk bipedally with their arms raised for balance.
 +
 
 +
One unique aspect of gibbon physiology is that the wrist is composed of a ball and socket joint, allowing for biaxial movement. This greatly reduces the amount of energy needed in the upper arm and torso, while also reducing stress on the shoulder joint. They also have long hands and feet, with a deep cleft between the first and second digits of their hands. Their fur is usually black, gray, or brownish, often with white markings on hands, feet, and face. Some species have an enlarged throat sac, which inflates and serves as a resonating chamber when the animals call. This structure is enormous in a few species, equaling the size of the animal's head.
  
 
Gibbon skulls resemble those of the great apes, with very short rostra, enlarged braincases, and large orbits that face forward. Gibbons have the typical nose of [[catarrhine]] primates with nostrils that are close together and face forward and slightly downward. They lack cheek pouches and their stomach is not sacculated. Their teeth also are similar to the great apes, with molars that are bunodont and lack lophs. The upper molars usually have a cingulum, which is sometimes large. The [[canine teeth|canines]] are prominent but not sexually dimorphic. The dental formula is: {{dentition|2, 1, 2, 3|2, 1, 2, 3}}
 
Gibbon skulls resemble those of the great apes, with very short rostra, enlarged braincases, and large orbits that face forward. Gibbons have the typical nose of [[catarrhine]] primates with nostrils that are close together and face forward and slightly downward. They lack cheek pouches and their stomach is not sacculated. Their teeth also are similar to the great apes, with molars that are bunodont and lack lophs. The upper molars usually have a cingulum, which is sometimes large. The [[canine teeth|canines]] are prominent but not sexually dimorphic. The dental formula is: {{dentition|2, 1, 2, 3|2, 1, 2, 3}}
  
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Gibbons are social animals. Strongly territorial, gibbons defend their boundaries with vigorous visual and vocal displays. The vocal element, which can often be heard for distances of up to 1 km, consists of a duet between a mated pair, their young sometimes joining in. In most species, males, and in some, females as well, sing solos that attract mates as well as advertise their territory.<ref>{{cite web | author = Clarke, E, et al. | year = 2006 | url = http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1762393 | title = The Syntax and Meaning of Wild Gibbon Songs | accessdate = 2007-01-18}}</ref> The songs can make them an easy find for poachers who engage in the illegal wildlife trade and in sales of body parts for use in traditional medicine.   
+
Gibbons are social animals and form pair bonds. Strongly territorial, gibbons defend their boundaries with vigorous visual and vocal displays. The vocal element, which can often be heard for distances of up to 1 km, consists of a duet between a mated pair, their young sometimes joining in. In most species, males, and in some, females as well, sing solos that attract mates as well as advertise their territory (Clarke et al. 2006). The songs can make them an easy find for poachers who engage in the illegal wildlife trade and in sales of body parts for use in traditional medicine.   
  
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Most species are threatened or endangered, most importantly from degradation or loss of their forest habitat. Gibbon species include the [[Siamang]], the White-handed or [[Lar Gibbon]], and the [[hoolock gibbon]]s. The Siamang, which is the largest of the 13 species, is distinguished by having two fingers on each hand stuck together, hence the generic and species names ''Symphalangus'' and ''syndactylus''.  
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Most species are threatened or [[endangered species|endangered]], most importantly from degradation or loss of their forest habitat. Gibbon species include the [[Siamang]], the White-handed or [[Lar Gibbon]], and the [[hoolock gibbon]]s. The Siamang, which is the largest of the 13 species, is distinguished by having two fingers on each hand stuck together, hence the generic and species names ''Symphalangus'' and ''syndactylus''.  
  
 
==Classification==
 
==Classification==
 
[[Image:Hominoid taxonomy 7.png|300px|thumb|right|Hominoid family tree]]
 
[[Image:Hominoid taxonomy 7.png|300px|thumb|right|Hominoid family tree]]
 
[[Image:Whitecheeked gibbon.jpg|240px|thumb|right|A white-cheeked Gibbon at the [[Adelaide Zoo]]]]
 
[[Image:Whitecheeked gibbon.jpg|240px|thumb|right|A white-cheeked Gibbon at the [[Adelaide Zoo]]]]
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The extinct ''[[Bunopithecus sericus]]'' is an extinct gibbon or gibbon-like ape which, until recently, was thought to be closely related to the Hoolock gibbons.<ref name=Mootnick/>
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* '''Family Hylobatidae''': gibbons<ref name=MSW3/><ref name=Geissmann/>
 
* '''Family Hylobatidae''': gibbons<ref name=MSW3/><ref name=Geissmann/>
 
** Genus ''[[Hylobates]]''
 
** Genus ''[[Hylobates]]''
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*** [[Yellow-cheeked Gibbon]], ''Nomascus gabriellae''
 
*** [[Yellow-cheeked Gibbon]], ''Nomascus gabriellae''
  
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==Reference==
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==Notes==
 
{{reflist}}
 
{{reflist}}
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==References==
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.<ref>{{cite web | author = Clarke, E., U. H. Reichard, and K. Zuberbühler. 2006.  | url = http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1762393 | title = The Syntax and Meaning of Wild Gibbon Songs | accessdate = 2007-01-18}}</ref>
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Geissmann, T. 2006a. [[http://www.gibbons.de/main/news/0601genus_hoolock.html Hoolock gibbons get a new genus name]. ''Gibbon Journal''
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Geissmann | first = Thomas | 2006b. title = Gibbon Systematics and Species Identification | url = http://gibbons.de/main/system/intro.html | accessdate = 2006-04-13}}</ref>
 +
 +
Groves, C. 2005. Order Primates, Order Monotremata, (and select other orders). In D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder, D. M., eds., Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, 178-181, Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0801882214
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 +
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Mootnick, A., and C. P. Groves. 2005. A new generic name for the hoolock gibbon (Hylobatidae). ''International Journal of Primatology'' 26: 971-976
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==

Revision as of 16:18, 12 March 2007


Gibbons[1][2]
Lar Gibbon (Hylobates lar)
Lar Gibbon (Hylobates lar)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Superfamily: Hominoidea
Family: Hylobatidae
Gray, 1870
Genera

Hylobates
Hoolock
Nomascus
Symphalangus

Gibbons are apes that are highly adapted to arboreal life and are found in tropical and subtropical rainforests in southeast Asia. Also called the lesser apes, gibbons differ from great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans) in being smaller, with longer arms and dense hair, in not making nests, and in certain anatomical details in which they superficially more closely resemble monkeys than the great apes do.

Although primate taxonomy has undergone many revisions in recent years, gibbonsare generally comprise the family Hylobatidae of the superfamily Hominoidea (apes) of the Order Primates. This is in contrast to the other main ape family, Hominidae, which includes humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans. However, there are other classification schemes for this later group as well.

There are four systematic groups of gibbons recognized. These were traditionally placed at the level of subgenera within the genus Hylobates. Many current defintions of gibbons include that they belong to this genus. However, in recent years, the four subgenera have been raised to the level of genera, and Geissmann (2006a) reports that "recognition of the four groups as full genera is now widespread." These four genera (formerly subgenera) are recognized based on their diploid chromosome number: Hylobates (44), Hoolock (38), Nomascus (52), and Symphalangus (50) (Mootnick and Groves 2005, Geissmann 2006b).

Overview

Gibbons are found from northeast India to Indonesia and north to southern China, including the islands of Sumatra, Borneo and Java.

Gibbons are masters of their primary mode of locomotion, brachiation, swinging from branch to branch, for distances of up to 15 meters (50 ft), at speeds as much as 56 km/h (35 mph). They can also make leaps of up to 8 meters (27 ft), and walk bipedally with their arms raised for balance.

One unique aspect of gibbon physiology is that the wrist is composed of a ball and socket joint, allowing for biaxial movement. This greatly reduces the amount of energy needed in the upper arm and torso, while also reducing stress on the shoulder joint. They also have long hands and feet, with a deep cleft between the first and second digits of their hands. Their fur is usually black, gray, or brownish, often with white markings on hands, feet, and face. Some species have an enlarged throat sac, which inflates and serves as a resonating chamber when the animals call. This structure is enormous in a few species, equaling the size of the animal's head.

Gibbon skulls resemble those of the great apes, with very short rostra, enlarged braincases, and large orbits that face forward. Gibbons have the typical nose of catarrhine primates with nostrils that are close together and face forward and slightly downward. They lack cheek pouches and their stomach is not sacculated. Their teeth also are similar to the great apes, with molars that are bunodont and lack lophs. The upper molars usually have a cingulum, which is sometimes large. The canines are prominent but not sexually dimorphic. The dental formula is:

Dentition
2, 1, 2, 3
2, 1, 2, 3


Gibbons are social animals and form pair bonds. Strongly territorial, gibbons defend their boundaries with vigorous visual and vocal displays. The vocal element, which can often be heard for distances of up to 1 km, consists of a duet between a mated pair, their young sometimes joining in. In most species, males, and in some, females as well, sing solos that attract mates as well as advertise their territory (Clarke et al. 2006). The songs can make them an easy find for poachers who engage in the illegal wildlife trade and in sales of body parts for use in traditional medicine.

Most species are threatened or endangered, most importantly from degradation or loss of their forest habitat. Gibbon species include the Siamang, the White-handed or Lar Gibbon, and the hoolock gibbons. The Siamang, which is the largest of the 13 species, is distinguished by having two fingers on each hand stuck together, hence the generic and species names Symphalangus and syndactylus.

Classification

Hominoid family tree
A white-cheeked Gibbon at the Adelaide Zoo

The extinct Bunopithecus sericus is an extinct gibbon or gibbon-like ape which, until recently, was thought to be closely related to the Hoolock gibbons.[3]


  • Family Hylobatidae: gibbons[1][4]
    • Genus Hylobates
      • Lar Gibbon or White-handed Gibbon, Hylobates lar
        • Malaysian Lar Gibbon, Hylobates lar lar
        • Carpenter's Lar Gibbon, Hylobates lar carpenteri
        • Central Lar Gibbon, Hylobates lar entelloides
        • Sumatran Lar Gibbon, Hylobates lar vestitus
        • Yunnan Lar Gibbon, Hylobates lar yunnanensis
      • Agile Gibbon or Black-handed Gibbon, Hylobates agilis
        • Mountain Agile Gibbon, Hylobates agilis agilis
        • Bornean White-bearded Gibbon, Hylobates agilis albibarbis
        • Lowland Agile Gibbon, Hylobates agilis unko
      • Müller's Bornean Gibbon, Hylobates muelleri
        • Müller's Gray Gibbon, Hylobates muelleri muelleri
        • Abbott's Gray Gibbon, Hylobates muelleri abbotti
        • Northern Gray Gibbon, Hylobates muelleri funereus
      • Silvery Gibbon, Hylobates moloch
        • Western Silvery Gibbon or Western Javan Gibbon, Hylobates moloch moloch
        • Eastern Silvery Gibbon or Central Javan Gibbon, Hylobates moloch pongoalsoni
      • Pileated Gibbon or Capped Gibbon, Hylobates pileatus
      • Kloss's Gibbon or Mentawai Gibbon or Bilou, Hylobates klossii
    • Genus Hoolock
      • Western Hoolock Gibbon, Hoolock hoolock
      • Eastern Hoolock Gibbon, Hoolock leuconedys
    • Genus Symphalangus
      • Siamang, Symphalangus syndactylus
    • Genus Nomascus
      • Concolor or Black Crested Gibbon, Nomascus concolor
        • Nomascus concolor concolor
        • Nomascus concolor lu
        • Nomascus concolor jingdongensis
        • Nomascus concolor furvogaster
      • Eastern Black Crested Gibbon, Nomascus nasutus
        • Cao Vit Gibbon, Nomascus nasutus nasutus
        • Hainan Gibbon, Nomascus nasutus hainanus
      • White-cheeked Crested Gibbon, Nomascus leucogenys
        • Northern White-cheeked Crested Gibbon, Nomascus leucogenys leucogenys
        • Southern White-cheeked Crested Gibbon, Nomascus leucogenys siki
      • Yellow-cheeked Gibbon, Nomascus gabriellae

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 C. Groves, "Order Primates," "Order Monotremata," (and select other orders). Page(s) 178-181 in D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder, eds., Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press (2005). ISBN 0801882214.
  2. ↑ Mootnick, A., and C. P. Groves. 2005. A new generic name for the hoolock gibbon (Hylobatidae). International Journal of Primatology 26: 971-976
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Mootnick
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Geissmann

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

.[1]

Geissmann, T. 2006a. [Hoolock gibbons get a new genus name. Gibbon Journal

Geissmann | first = Thomas | 2006b. title = Gibbon Systematics and Species Identification | url = http://gibbons.de/main/system/intro.html | accessdate = 2006-04-13}}</ref>

Groves, C. 2005. Order Primates, Order Monotremata, (and select other orders). In D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder, D. M., eds., Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, 178-181, Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0801882214


Mootnick, A., and C. P. Groves. 2005. A new generic name for the hoolock gibbon (Hylobatidae). International Journal of Primatology 26: 971-976

External links

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  1. ↑ Clarke, E., U. H. Reichard, and K. Zuberbühler. 2006.. The Syntax and Meaning of Wild Gibbon Songs. Retrieved 2007-01-18.
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