Nomascus is the second-most speciose genus of the gibbon family, Hylobatidae. Originally, this genus was a subgenus of Hylobates, with all individuals considered to be one species, H. concolor.

Species within Nomascus are characterized by 52 chromosomes. Some species are all-black, some are a lighter beige or peach hue, with a distinct black tuft of crown fur, while others have notable, light-colored cheek “patches”. Nomascus is endemic from southern China (Yunnan) to southern Vietnam, and can also be found on Hainan. Every species within this genus are either endangered or critically endangered; the Eastern black crested gibbon (Nomascus nasutus) has been deemed "the most-critically endangered ape species in the world".

Extant species

Extinct species

• Imperial gibbon, Nomascus imperialis (extinct ca. ~200 BC or later, formerly placed in genus Junzi)

Classification

Family Hylobatidae: gibbons

• Genus Hylobates

• Genus Hoolock

• Genus Symphalangus

Genus Nomascus

Black crested gibbon, Nomascus concolor

• Tonkin black crested gibbon, Nomascus concolor concolor

• Laotian black crested gibbon, Nomascus concolor lu

• Central Yunnan black crested gibbon, Nomascus concolor jingdongensis

• West Yunnan black crested gibbon, Nomascus concolor furvogaster

• Eastern black crested gibbon, Nomascus nasutus

• Hainan black crested gibbon, Nomascus hainanus

• †Imperial gibbon, Nomascus imperialis

• Northern white-cheeked gibbon, Nomascus leucogenys

• Southern white-cheeked gibbon, Nomascus siki

• Yellow-cheeked gibbon, Nomascus gabriellae

• Northern buffed-cheeked gibbon, Nomascus annamensis

References

External links

• ARKive - images and movies of the black-crested gibbon

• Photos of gibbons

• Gibbon Conservation Center

• Primate Info Net