Hylobates- Gibbons
The Family Hylobates consists of eleven species of gibbons and one species of siamang. These primates were at one time called Lesser apes. This term is no longer in common use. The family is restricted Southeast Asia as far north as the Yellow River in China and as far south as Java. Gibbons are highly arboreal and like the Atelids of South America use brachiation to locomote through the forest canopy.
The taxonomy of the family has been revamped over the last couple of decades. All gibbons were previously placed in a single genus with four sub genera. Today these sub genera are now recognized as full genera.
The taxonomy of the family has been revamped over the last couple of decades. All gibbons were previously placed in a single genus with four sub genera. Today these sub genera are now recognized as full genera.