Taxonomy,distribution, and status of gibbons (Hylobates) in Southern China and adjacent areas

Gibbons are small and arboreal apes restricted to southeastern tropical and southern subtropical regions in Asia. They are distributed from Assam in the northwest, eastward to south China and Vietnam, south through the Malay Peninsula to Sumatra, Borneo, Java, and the Mentawai Islands. Twenty-two genetically distinct populations of gibbons are generally recognized. Gibbons were once widely distributed in China; however, they are now primarily restricted to southern and southwestern Yunnan and Hainan Island. Their widest distribution and greatest species diversity is in Yunnan Province. Gibbons are rare in China and are now listed as a first class endangered species. Four gibbon species inhabit Yunnan Province in southern China. They areH. hoolock, H. lar, H. leucogenys, andH. concolor. There are three subspecies ofH. leucogenys: H. l. leucogenys, H. l. siki, andH. l. gabriellae. OnlyH. l. leucogenys inhabits China. Four subspecies ofH. concolor inhabit China. These areH. c. concolor, H. c. jingdongensis, H. c. furvogaster, andH. c. hainanus. The first three subspecies inhabit Yunnan andH. c. hainanus is found only on Hainan Island.H. lar yunnanensis is the subspecies ofH. lar in southern China.H. hoolock leucogenys is the subspecies ofH. hoolock in southern China.H. concolor jingdongensis, H. concolor furvogaster, andH. lar yunnanensis are all newly proposed subspecies byMa andWang (1986). The data on southern China gibbons presented here is based on an analysis of the skeletons and skins of 49 specimens held at the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, Yunnan.     

Ecology and behavior of wild black-crested gibbons (Hylobates concolor) in China with a reconsideration of evidence for polygyny

The black-crested gibbon,Hylobates concolor, is one of the few species of gibbons that has not yet been the subject of a long term field study. Field observations in the Ai Lao and Wu Liang Mountains of Yunnan Province, China indicate that in this area the habitat and ecology of this species differ markedly from those of other gibbons that have been studied to date. These differences are correlated with some behavioral differences. In particular, these gibbons apparently have greater day ranges than other gibbons. It has also been suggested that this species lives in polygynous groups. To demonstrate this requires observation of groups with two or more females with young. Our own observations and those from other recent studies suggest that there are alternative explanations consistent with available data.     

中国长臂猿科动物的分类和保护现状

根据最新的长臂猿科分类系统和近年来开展的多次长臂猿调查,本文对我国长臂猿科的分类和保护进行了全面的回顾和综述,将为以后中国长臂猿的研究和保护提供基础资料。长臂猿科(Hylobatidae) 分为4 个属(Nomascus,Symphalangus,Hylobates, Hoolock ) 17 个种,其中我国分布有3 属6 种: 西黑冠长臂猿(N. concolor)、东黑冠长臂猿(N. nasutus)、海南长臂猿(N.hainanus)、北白颊长臂猿(N. leucogenys)、东白眉长臂猿(Hoolock leuconedys)和白掌长臂猿(Hylobates lar)。长臂猿曾经广泛分布于我国大部分地区,受栖息地丧失、退化和猎杀等因素的影响,目前长臂猿仅分布于云南、广西和海南等地。我国长臂猿的保护形势十分严峻,白掌长臂猿和北白颊长臂猿可能已经从中国消失;东黑冠长臂猿和海南长臂猿的数量都不足30 只,接近灭绝边缘;东白眉长臂猿的数量不足200 只;即使是数量最多的西黑冠长臂猿,其数量也仅有1 000 至1 300 只。严格执法、意识教育、科普宣传、长期的科学研究将有利于我国的长臂猿保护。     

Combining species distribution modeling and distance sampling to assess wildlife population size: A case study with the northern yellow-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus annamensis)

Population size and distribution data for wildlife species play an important role in conservation and management, especially for endangered species. However, scientists seriously lack data on the population status of many species. The northern yellow-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus annamensis) is found in southern Lao PDR, central Vietnam, and northeastern Cambodia. The population of the species has significantly declined due to hunting, habitat loss, and the wildlife trade. To examine the population size and distribution of N. annamensis, we conducted a field survey in Song Thanh Nature Reserve, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam from February to April 2019 using the audio point count method. We combined Distance Sampling and Ecological Niche Modeling to estimate the population of the gibbons. Results showed that the total suitable area for the gibbons was about 302.32 km², with the two most important variables of the habitat model being the distance-to-villages and forest type. We detected 36 gibbon groups through field surveys and estimated 443 (95% CI, 278–707) gibbon groups in Song Thanh Nature Reserve. Our results indicate that the gibbon population in Song Thanh Nature Reserve is the largest known population of N. annamensis in Vietnam. In addition, our study was the first to combine species distribution modeling with distance sampling to estimate gibbon density and population size. This approach might be useful in surveying and monitoring gibbon populations because it takes imperfect detection probability into account in estimating gibbon population density while estimating the area of potential habitat using environmental variables.     

Predation on giant flying squirrels (Petaurista philippensis) by black crested gibbons (Nomascus concolor jingdongensis) at Mt. Wuliang, Yunnan, China

Predation on vertebrates is infrequent in gibbons. In a 14-month field study of the central Yunnan black crested gibbon (Nomascus concolor jingdongensis) at Mt. Wuliang, Yunnan, China, we observed gibbons attacking, killing and eating giant flying squirrels (Petaurista philippensis). During 845 h of observation on one study group, the gibbons attacked giant flying squirrels 11 times, and succeeded in 4 cases. Although all members of the group attempted to attack the squirrels, all four successful attacks were made by the same adult female. The victims were infants in three cases and a juvenile or sub-adult in one case. Black crested gibbons also attacked adult giant flying squirrels by grabbing their long tails and throwing them from the canopy, but they failed to catch or kill the prey in three cases observed. Passive meat sharing occurred in three out of four successful cases. Besides hunting giant flying squirrels, the black crested gibbons also ate eggs or chicks in two birds’ nests and one lizard.     

黑长臂猿栖息地旱冬瓜和潺槁木姜子种群分布格局和动态

旱冬瓜（Alnus nepalensis）和潺槁木姜子（Litsea glutinosa）是云南省无量山黑长臂猿（Nomascus concolor）栖息地中的两种常见乔木.利用最近邻体法和Heygi单木竞争指数模型,对两个种群的分布格局和竞争情况进行分析.结果表明,旱冬瓜在不同生长阶段均呈现随机分布,而伴生的潺槁木姜子种群则呈现随机分布 聚集分布 均匀分布的变化趋势.种间竞争和物种自身生物学特性对两个种群的分布格局具有显著影响.旱冬瓜种群的龄级结构为衰退型,潺槁木姜子种群则为成长型.     

The yellow-cheeked gibbon (Hylobates gabriellae) in nam bai cat tien (southern vietnam) revisited

Data concerning the status, habitat, and vocalizations of yellow-cheeked crested gibbons (Hylobates gabriellae) were collected during a short field trip to the Nam Bai Cat Tien National Park (southern Vietnam). Nam Bai Cat Tien may be the southernmost locality where crested gibbons (i.e. theHylobates concolor group) still survive. Fewer songs were heard at Nam Bai Cat Tien National Park than at other crested gibbon sites visited by the author. At least two gibbon groups appear to have been greatly reduced in number since previous surveys in the park. There is some evidence that both the gibbon population and the gibbon habitat in Nam Bai Cat Tien are disturbed. The first case of a great call solo song in wild gibbons of theconcolor group is reported. Great calls ofH. gabriellae are described and documented with sonagrams for the first time. They differ from those previously described forH. leucogenys.     

Preliminary observations of wild black-crested gibbons (Hylobates concolor concolor) in Yunnan province,people's republic of China

Black-crested gibbons (Hylobates concolor concolor), which inhabit the subtropical forests of southern China and northern Vietnam, have until now never been the subject of any systematic behavioral or ecological field study. This report presents the findings of a three-month field study of wild black-crested gibbons in the Wuliang and Ailao Mountain Game Reserves in Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China. The sites visited consisted of temperate, subtropical, broadleaf evergreen forests, with trees belonging to the families Elaeocarpaceae, Fagaceae, Lauraceae, Magnoliaceae, and Theaceae. Black-crested gibbons were documented from four sites visited and were found to be polygynous, with an average group size of seven to eight animals. The family groups were observed to comprise one adult male, from one to four adult females, and numerous offspring of various ages. Both sexes of this species emit interactive songs, and various features of this loud vocal behavior were analyzed and are discussed here. Since all other gibbon species were found to inhabit only tropical rain forests and live in strictly monogamous family groups, some of the ecological and evolutionary implications of these findings are also presented.     

云南扶桑绵粉蚧的发生及防治

扶桑绵粉蚧是一种全球恶性入侵害虫,2008年传入我国,目前已有13个省区报道其为害,2009年在云南省被发现,截至2013年3月,云南省共8个州(市) 10个县(市)已有分布。扶桑绵粉蚧寄主范围广,危害性大,适应性强。同时,云南省花卉、蔬菜调运及进出口贸易频繁,加之气候类型丰富、水热条件优越、自然地理环境复杂多样、动植物资源丰富等优势,有利于扶桑绵粉蚧的入侵、定殖与扩散,易造成较大的经济损失。目前,关于云南省扶桑绵粉蚧的研究仍然缺乏,现就扶桑绵粉蚧在云南的发生现状、潜在风险和防治措施等方面进行概述,以期为该虫的有效防范提供参考。     

黑长臂猿的分布、现状与保护

黑长臂猿 (Hylobates concolor)是现生 1 1种长臂猿中其系统地位最低的灵长类。历史时期长臂猿曾广泛分布在我国南部的大部省区。自公元 4世纪以来 ,它们的分布发生了很大变化。分布区从北到南 ,从东到西急剧缩小 ,现黑长臂猿缩小到只在海南岛、云南南部和越南北部 ,已分化为 6个亚种。分布于我国的 5亚种中 ,海南亚种 (H . c. hainanus)现今仅20余只 ,是最濒危的一个亚种 ;.北部湾亚种 (H.c.nasutus) 50年代曾在广西西南部发现 ,60 -70年代已绝迹 ;指名亚种 (H.c.concolor)主要分布于越南北部、滇南和滇中哀牢山。滇南约有100余只 ,滇中哀牢山可能有40 - 60群 ,180 - 240只 ;景东亚种 (H . c. jingdongensis)为滇中无量山的特有亚种 ,现有100 - 116群 ,430 - 500只 ;滇西亚种 (H . c. furvogaster) ,只分布在滇西南的沧源、镇康、云县和耿马等地 ,约有 2 6-42群 ,100 - 150只。现今 ,黑长臂猿的分布区已不足1000Km2 ,总数量约1000只 ,为高度濒危的灵长类动物。造成黑长臂猿濒危的主要原因是 :热带和南亚热带原始森林的被破坏和缩小、人类活动的干扰使生境破碎和恶化、过度猎捕和长臂猿自身的生物学弱点。目前 ,中国的黑长臂猿已在 9个自然保护区中得到保护。     

黑长臂猿（Hylobates concolor）对人类和非人类捕食者的回避行为

捕食和避免捕在动物生存和进化过程中起着重要作用,本文报道了我们自１９９０年３月至１９９２年元月观察黑长臂猿对人类和非人类捕食者的一系列反映,在遇到人类（观察者）后,据离观察者的远近和受惊程度不同,它们表现出５种回避方式,而在遇到非人类捕食者时,成年雌雄性一起将捕食者引开,以保护其后代个体免遭捕食。文中还对这些不同的行为方式进行了讨论。成年雄性是群体的主要保护者,成年雌性在群体保护中也起到重要的作用     

Population and distribution of western black crested gibbon (Nomascus concolor) at Ailao Mountain, Xinping, Yunnan

The western black crested gibbon (Nomascus concolor) is mainly distributed in Yunnan, China. Ailao Mountain is located in central Yunnan and divided into three prefectures and six counties. This mountain forms the principle distribution range for western black crested gibbon; however, there are no published data on the gibbon population inhabiting the Xinping administrative. Take the interview results conducted in 2007 and 2009 with local people as the reference, this study conducted an extensive field survey covering all possible habitats from November 2009 to January 2010 using call surveys. Among the one hundred and twenty-four gibbon groups which were confirmed across the Ailao Mountain, the largest known population of western black crested gibbons yet, 85 groups inhabit the national nature reserve and adjacent national forest, 30 groups inhabit the provincial nature reserve and nine groups inhabit the collective forest located outside the reserve and national forest. We found that the western black crested gibbons here have a patchy distribution pattern and occur at higher densities in certain areas. Moreover, the population distribution density and elevation gradient distribution decline from north to south. The results also demonstrated the importance of Ailao Mountain in the western black crested gibbon protection.     

七角星蜡蚧在云南省的分布与危害

[目的]七角星蜡蚧(半翅目:蚧次目:蚧科:蜡蚧属)是一种外来入侵害虫,自2013年在云南省西双版纳州勐仑镇发现以来,中国大陆再无系统性的调查。近年来作者在云南省收集蚧虫期间,在多地发现七角星蜡蚧为害,现对其在云南省的发生情况进行报道,以期为其监测和防治提供参考。[方法]2016年10月—2021年9月,对云南省15州(市)的64个县(区市)进行了系统调查,详细研究了七角星蜡蚧的分布、寄主及一些生物学习性。[结果]七角星蜡蚧在云南省西双版纳州的景洪市、勐腊县(勐仑镇和磨憨镇)、勐海县(打洛镇),普洱市的宁洱县,德宏州的盈江县(那邦镇),红河州的河口县、金平县(勐拉乡和者米乡)4州(市)7县(市)9地有分布,新增8个分布点。除宁洱县外,其余发生地均位于边境线上,表明其可能为境外多点入侵。在云南该虫危害寄主植物共4科4属5种,包括杧果和莲雾2种经济树种。七角星蜡蚧多寄生在叶片背面,沿叶脉分布,1年发生多代。在河口县的龙船花上,该虫每雌产卵38~50粒,虫口密度达185~250头·叶^-1。[结论]七角星蜡蚧在云南省零星分布,尚未造成严重损害,但有向内扩散的趋势,应加以警惕。     

Pine wilt disease in Yunnan,China: Evidence of non-local pine sawyer Monochamus alternatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) populations revealed by mitochondrial DNA

Abstract Monochamus alternatus (Hope) specimens were collected from nine geographical populations in China, where the pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner et Buhrer) was present. There were seven populations in southwestern China in Yunnan Province (Ruili, Wanding, Lianghe, Pu’er, Huaning, Stone Forest and Yongsheng), one in central China in Hubei Province (Wuhan), and one in eastern China in Zhejiang Province (Hangzhou). Twenty-two polymorphic sites were recognized and 18 haplotypes were established by analyzing a 565 bp gene fragment of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit II (CO II). Kimura two-parameter distances demonstrated that M. alternatus populations in Ruili, Wanding and Lianghe (in southwestern Yunnan) differed from the other four Yunnan populations but were similar to the Zhejiang population. No close relationship was found between the M. alternatus populations in Yunnan and Hubei. Phylogenetic reconstruction established a neighbor-joining (NJ) tree, which divided haplotypes of southwestern Yunnan and the rest of Yunnan into different clades with considerable bootstrapping values. Analysis of molecular variance and spatial analysis of molecular variance also suggested significant genetic differentiation between M. alternatus populations in southwestern Yunnan and the rest of Yunnan. Our research suggests that non-local populations of M. alternates, possibly from eastern China, have become established in southwestern Yunnan.     

Ranging behavior of eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys) in a northern montane forest in Gaoligongshan,Yunnan, China

Generally, food abundance and distribution exert important influence on primate ranging behavior. Hoolock gibbons (genus Hoolock) live in lowland and montane forests in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and China. All information about hoolock gibbons comes from studies on western hoolock gibbons (Hoolock hoolock) living in lowland forest. Between August 2010 and September 2011, we studied the ranging behavior of one habituated group of eastern hoolock gibbon (H. leuconedys) living in a seasonal montane forest in Gaoligongshan, Yunnan, China. Results show that the study group did not increase foraging effort, calculated in this study as the daily path length, when fruit was less available. Instead, the gibbons fed more on leaves and decreased traveling to conserve energy. They relied heavily on a single food species in most study months which was patchily distributed within their total (14-month) home range, and during most months they used only a small portion of their total home range. In order to find enough food, the group shifted its monthly home range according to the seasonal availability of food species. To satisfy their annual food requirements, they occupied a total home range of 93 ha. The absence of neighboring groups of gibbons and the presence of tsaoko cardamom (Amomum tsaoko) plantations may also have influenced the ranging behavior of the group. Further long-term studies of neighboring groups living in intact forests are required to assess these effects.     

云南哀牢山国家级自然保护区景东辖区黑长臂猿种群数量和分布

为掌握哀牢山国家级自然保护区景东县辖区黑长臂猿种群数量和分布状况,2005年9～11月采用访问调查法及鸣声定位法对该区域进行了调查。调查结果显示:该区域内20世纪50～80年代,在19个地区曾有黑长臂猿分布,但现在黑长臂猿分布范围已大为减少,目前仅在9个地区发现有9群黑长臂猿。50年代至今至少有13只黑长臂猿被猎杀。狩猎和栖息地破坏是造成该区域黑长臂猿种群数量减少及分布范围缩小的主要原因。     

Reassessment of age of sexual maturity in gibbons (hylobates spp.)

From studies of both wild and captive animals, gibbons are thought to reach sexual maturity at about 6 to 8 years of age, and the siamang (Hylobates syndactylus) at about 8 to 9 years. However, a review of the literature reveals that in most cases the exact age of the maturing animals was not known and had to be estimated. This study presents seven case reports on captive gibbons of known age. Captive males of the white-cheeked crested gibbon (H. leucogenys leucogenys) and of the siamang (H. syndactylus) can breed at the age of 4 and 4.3 years, respectively. Similarly, hybrid females (H. lar × H. moloch) and siamang females can breed at 5.1 and 5.2 years, respectively. This finding may help to improve the breeding success of captive gibbon populations. It is not clear whether gibbons reach sexual maturity earlier in captivity or whether sexual maturity is also reached by 5 years of age in the wild. Possible implications for the interpretation of group size regulation and of reproductive strategies of wild gibbons are discussed.     

中国锈革菌属研究.5.采自云南的两个新记录种

报道了采自云南省的锈革菌属(Hymenochaete)2个中国新记录种,即长矛锈革菌(H. contiformis)和红边锈革菌(H. rufomarginata)。前者的主要特点是解剖结构中无皮层和菌丝层,刚毛长且孢子大; 后者的主要特点是子实层具大量的侧丝,刚毛和孢子较小。提供了这两个种的野外标本照片、显微结构绘图以及详细的形态学描述,并给出了云南省锈革菌属30个种的检索表。     

Are <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hylobates lar</Emphasis> Extirpated from China?

The Nangunhe Nature Reserve in Southwest Yunnan (PRC) has long been presumed to be the last stronghold of lar (or white-handed) gibbons (Hylobates lar) in China and the likely last place of occurrence of Hylobates lar yunnanensis. We conducted a comprehensive survey to assess the status of lar gibbons at Nangunhe. We found no visual or auditory evidence of them still residing at the reserve and therefore tentatively conclude that lar gibbons have become extinct in China. It appears that large-scale destruction of primary forests in the 1960s and 1970s brought about an initial decline in their numbers, and subsequent uncontrolled hunting has resulted in their extirpation. The situation for the six Chinese ape taxa is nothing less than disastrous, with 1 taxon assumed to have become extinct during the last few years, 1 taxon not having been confirmed since the 1980s, and 2 species at the very brink of extinction with only tens of individuals remaining in China.     

Neonatal weight in gibbons (Hylobates spp.)

Neonatal and birth weights of gibbons have mostly been reported for single individuals, and larger samples (n = 2–8) have apparently been published for only two species of gibbons (Hylobates lar and H. syndactylus). In addition, a critical examination of the few published neonatal weights of gibbons shows that several of them should not be used. Neonatal weights are here defined as weights taken on infants up to seven days old, whereas birth weights include only those taken on the day of birth. This paper presents neonatal weights for six representative species of gibbons (H. lar, H. leucogenys, H. moloch, H. muelleri, H. pileatus, H. syndactylus) and some of their hybrids. Most of our data stem from surviving animals that were subsequently hand-reared and include 80 infants, thus making the previously available dataset 5 times larger. Our neonatal weights fall roughly into three different classes: neonates of the lar group (about 390 g, n = 27), the concolor group (about 510 g, n = 7), and the siamang (about 540 g, n = 46). This grouping corresponds not only to taxonomic units within the hylobatids, but also to grouping of gibbons by adult body weight. No weight difference between males and females is evident in our sample, and hybrids of the lar group do not appear to differ in weight from pure species. True birth weights (i.e., weights recorded on the day of birth) are available for only a few individuals. These weights are, on average, 7% higher than neonatal weights, but the difference is not statistically significant. Additional samples of neonatal weights suggest that infants that die on the day of birth weigh, on average, 17% less, twins weigh 29% less, and infants born by Cesarean section weigh 19% more than our reference sample of neonates. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.