New Species Of Gibbon Found

Research

Scientists from the German Primate Center (DPZ) in Göttingen have identified

a new species of gibbon,

the northern buffed-cheeked gibbon, (Nomascus annamensis) from the tropical rain forests between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

Gibbons are apes in the family Hylobatidae.Also called the lesser apes, gibbons differ from great apes (chimpanzees,bonobos, gorillas, orangutans and humans) in many ways.Small body size,

low sexual dimorphism, not making nests, and certain anatomical details are some of those features. Gibbons also display pair-bonding, like humans but unlike the rest of the great apes. Gibbons are masters of their primary mode of locomotion, brachiation, swinging from branch to branch for distances of up to 15 m, at speeds as high as 56 km/h. They can also make leaps of up to 8 m, and walk bipedally using their arms for balance. They are the fastest and most agile of all tree-dwelling, non-flying mammals.
Identifying gibbon species in the field is very difficult, as they live high up in the canopy. Small differences in their coloration are nearly impossible to make out from below.Researchers were able to identify this new Gibbon species through its characteristic vocalizations. An analysis of the frequency and tempo of their calls, along with genetic research done by using the droppings of the animals.
According to the IUCN Red list most of the Gibbon species are threatened or endangered.Some are critically endangered.the major threats they have are illegal hunting,degradation & loss of habitats. Further studies on the ecology of these mammals is a must for their conservation.