Archived Abstracts
Description of a new species of Hoolock gibbon (Primates: Hylobatidae) based on integrative taxonomy
Authors: Fan, P-F., He, K., Chen, X., Ortiz, A., Zhang, B., Zhao, C., Li, Y-Q., Zhang, H-B., Kimock, C., Wang, W-Z., Groves, C., Turvey, S.T., Roos, C., Helgen, K.M., Jiang, X-L.
Hoolock gibbons (genus Hoolock) occur in the northwestern part of the modern-day gibbon distribution in east India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and southwest China. The genus of hoolock gibbons comprises two previously described living species, the western (Hoolock hoolock) and eastern hoolock (H. leuconedys) gibbons, geographically isolated by the Chindwin River. Based on careful examination of external morphology, craniodental and genetic characteristics of wild animals and museum specimens, we concluded that hoolock gibbons distributed between the Irrawaddy-Nmai Hka Rivers and the Salween River, which are currently assigned to H. leuconedys, are morphologically and genetically distinct from those to the west of the river, and should be recognized as a new species. We named it as Gaoligong hoolock gibbon or skywalker hoolock gibbon (Hoolock tianxing), referring to the unique locomotory mode of gibbons and following an ancient proverb from I Ching. We consider that the new species should be categorized as Endangered under IUCN criteria. The discovery of the new species focuses attention on the need for improved conservation of small apes, many of which are in danger of extinction in southern China and Southeast Asia.
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