Hylobates

Hylobates[1][2]
A pileated gibbon (Hylobates pileatus) female hanging from tree
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Haplorhini
Infraorder: Simiiformes
Family: Hylobatidae
Genus: Hylobates
Illiger, 1811
Type species
Homo lar [1]
Linnaeus, 1771
Species
Distribution of Hylobates and its species (note: Bornean population formerly included in H. agilis is now generally considered a separate species, H. albibarbis; H. muelleri is now split into H. muelleri, H. abbotti, and H. funereus)

The genus Hylobates /ˌhlˈbtz/ is one of the four genera of gibbons. Its name means "forest walker", from the Greek hūlē (ὕλη, "forest") and bates (βάτης, "one who treads").[3][4]

It was once considered the only genus, but recently its subgenera (Hoolock [formerly Bunopithecus], Nomascus, and Symphalangus) have been elevated to the genus level.[1][5] Hylobates remains the most species-rich and widespread of gibbon genera, ranging from southern China (Yunnan) to western and central Java.

Individuals within this genus are characterized by 44 chromosomes and often have a ring of white fur around their faces.[2]

Classification[edit]

Hybrids[edit]

Hybrids between Müller's gibbon (H. muelleri) and the Bornean white-bearded gibbon, (H. albibarbis) have been reported in areas of Borneo.[6] A gibbon born at the Kujukushima Zoo in Japan to a female lar or white-handed gibbon (H. lar) was determined to have been fathered by a male agile gibbon (H. agilis).[7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Groves, C. P. (2005). "Genus Hylobates". In 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 Geissmann, Thomas. "Gibbon Systematics and Species Identification". Retrieved 2006-04-13.
  3. ^ βάτης. Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert; A Greek–English Lexicon at the Perseus Project: "one that treads or covers"
  4. ^ Craig, John (1848). A new universal etymological technological, and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. p. 962.
  5. ^ Mootnick, A.; Groves, C. P. (2005). "A new generic name for the hoolock gibbon (Hylobatidae)". International Journal of Primatology. 26 (4): 971–976. doi:10.1007/s10764-005-5332-4. S2CID 8394136.
  6. ^ Payne, J.; Francis, C. (2005). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Borneo. Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia: Sabah Society. p. 230. ISBN 967-99947-1-6.
  7. ^ Watanuki, Hiroshi (31 January 2023). "Mystery solved: Father of gibbon at Nagasaki Pref. zoo identified through DNA analysis". The Mainichi. Retrieved 10 February 2023.

External links[edit]