Hainan Black Crested Gibbon

Taxobox
name = Hainan Black Crested GibbonMSW3 Groves | pages = 180 | id = 12100781] cite web | last = Geissmann | first = Thomas | title = Gibbon Systematics and Species Identification | url = http://gibbons.de/main/system/intro.html | accessdate = 2006-04-13]
status = CR
status_system = iucn3.1
trend = unknown
status_ref = IUCN2006 | assessors = Geissmann, T. | year = 2003 | title = Nomascus nasutus "ssp." hainanus | id = 41643 | downloaded = 2006-11-21]
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Primates
familia = Hylobatidae
genus = "Nomascus"
species = "N. nasutus"
subspecies = "N. n. hainanus"
trinomial = "Nomascus nasutus hainanus"
trinomial_authority = (Thomas, 1892)

The Hainan Black Crested Gibbon ("Nomascus nasutus hainanus"), is a subspecies of the Eastern Black Crested Gibbon, found on Hainan Island, China and the Hoa Binh and Cao Bang provinces of Vietnam. Its habitat consists of broad-leaved forests and semi-deciduous monsoon forest. It lives in small family groups with a monogamous male, a female, and their offspring. One offspring is usually born every 2-3 years. After two years it is usually weaned off its mother. At times, there can be multiple females. Unlike many other primates, groups of this gibbon are led by the females. It feeds on ripened fruit and, at times, leaves, and insects. The Hainan Black Crested Gibbon is one of the most critically endangered primates. Deforestation is the main cause and has caused a dramatic decline in population. As of October 2007, there are only 17 reported individuals living on the Hainan.

Physical characteristics

There is distinct Sexual dimorphism in the Hainan Black Crested Gibbon. The males are all almost completely black, with sometimes white or buff cheeks. Females, on the other hand, are a golden or buff color with black patches, including a streak of black on the head. Both males and females are on the slender side of the primate species with long arms and legs with no tail. This is usually used to swing from tree to tree which is known as brachiation. Also, the Hainan Black Crested Gibbon sings duets for bonding and mating.

References

*http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/mammals/Nomascus_concolor/more_info.html?section=factsAndStatus retrieved June 30, 2008
*http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/10/photogalleries/primate-pictures/photo9.html retrieved June 30, 2008

External links

*http://www.primate-sg.org/hainanus.htm