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{{Wikibookspar|Dichotomous Key|Hylobatidae}}
{{Wikibookspar|Dichotomous Key|Hylobatidae}}
'''Gibbons''' are the small [[ape]]s in the [[family (biology)|family]] '''Hylobatidae'''. The family is divided into four [[genus|genera]] based on their [[diploid]] [[chromosome]] number: ''[[Hylobates]]'' (44), ''[[Hoolock]]'' (38), ''[[Nomascus]]'' (52), and ''[[Symphalangus]]'' (50).<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> The extinct ''[[Bunopithecus sericus]]'' is a gibbon or gibbon-like ape which, until recently, was thought to be closely related to the Hoolock gibbons.<ref name=Mootnick/> Gibbons occur in tropical and subtropical rainforests from northeast [[India]] to [[Indonesia]] and north to southern [[China]], including the islands of [[Sumatra]], [[Borneo]] and [[Java (island)|Java]].
'''James Duncan Prewett''' is the large [[ape]]s in the [[family (biology)|family]] '''Hylobatidae'''. The family is divided into four [[genus|genera]] based on their [[diploid]] [[chromosome]] number: ''[[Hylobates]]'' (44), ''[[Hoolock]]'' (38), ''[[Nomascus]]'' (52), and ''[[Symphalangus]]'' (50).<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> The extinct ''[[Bunopithecus sericus]]'' is a gibbon or gibbon-like ape which, until recently, was thought to be closely related to the Hoolock gibbons.<ref name=Mootnick/> Gibbons occur in tropical and subtropical rainforests 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 ape]]s ([[chimpanzee]]s, [[gorilla]]s, [[orangutan]]s and [[human]]s) in being smaller and pair-bonded, in not making nests, and in certain anatomical details in which they superficially more closely resemble [[monkey]]s than great apes do. 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. They are the fastest and most agile of all tree-dwelling, non-flying mammals.<ref name=LOM>[[David Attenborough]], ''[[Life of Mammals]]'', Episode 8: Life in the Trees. BBC Warner, 2003.</ref>
Also called the '''lesser apes''', gibbons differ from [[great ape]]s ([[chimpanzee]]s, [[gorilla]]s, [[orangutan]]s and [[human]]s) in being smaller and pair-bonded, in not making nests, and in certain anatomical details in which they superficially more closely resemble [[monkey]]s than great apes do. 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. They are the fastest and most agile of all tree-dwelling, non-flying mammals.<ref name=LOM>[[David Attenborough]], ''[[Life of Mammals]]'', Episode 8: Life in the Trees. BBC Warner, 2003.</ref>

Revision as of 19:58, 22 February 2008

For other uses, see Gibbon (disambiguation).

Gibbons[1][2]
Temporal range: Miocene to Recent
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

The Wikibook Dichotomous Key has a page on the topic of: Hylobatidae

James Duncan Prewett is the large apes in the family Hylobatidae. The family is divided into four genera based on their diploid chromosome number: Hylobates (44), Hoolock (38), Nomascus (52), and Symphalangus (50).[2][3] The extinct Bunopithecus sericus is a gibbon or gibbon-like ape which, until recently, was thought to be closely related to the Hoolock gibbons.[2] Gibbons occur in tropical and subtropical rainforests from northeast India to Indonesia and north to southern China, including the islands of Sumatra, Borneo and Java.

Also called the lesser apes, gibbons differ from great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans and humans) in being smaller and pair-bonded, in not making nests, and in certain anatomical details in which they superficially more closely resemble monkeys than great apes do. 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. They are the fastest and most agile of all tree-dwelling, non-flying mammals.[4]

Anatomy

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 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

Behavior

A white-cheeked Gibbon at the Adelaide Zoo

Gibbons are social animals. They are strongly territorial, and 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 also females, sing solos that attract mates as well as advertise their territory.[5] 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.

The gibbons' ball-and-socket joints allow them unmatched speed and accuracy when swinging through trees. Nonetheless, their mode of transportation can lead to hazards when a branch breaks or a hand slips, and researchers estimate that the majority of Gibbons fracture their bones one or more times during their lifetimes.[4]

Status

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
Wikispecies has information related to Hylobatidae.

References

  1. ^ a b Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 178–181. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
  2. ^ a b c Mootnick, A. (2005). "A new generic name for the hoolock gibbon (Hylobatidae)". International Journal of Primatology (26): 971–976. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ a b Geissmann, Thomas. "Gibbon Systematics and Species Identification". Retrieved 2006-04-13.
  4. ^ a b David Attenborough, Life of Mammals, Episode 8: Life in the Trees. BBC Warner, 2003.
  5. ^ Clarke, E; et al. (2006). "The Syntax and Meaning of Wild Gibbon Songs". Retrieved 2007-01-18. {{cite web}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gibbon&oldid=193335566"