The genus Hylobates () is one of the four genera of gibbons. Its name means "forest walker", from the Greek (, "forest") and (, "one who treads").: "one that treads or covers"
It was once considered the only genus, but recently its subgenera (Hoolock [formerly Bunopithecus], Nomascus, and Symphalangus) have been elevated to the genus level. Hylobates remains the most species-rich and widespread of gibbon genera, ranging from southern China (Yunnan) to western and central Java.
Individuals within this genus are characterized by 44 chromosomes and often have a ring of white fur around their faces.
Classification Family Hylobatidae: gibbons Genus Hylobates Lar gibbon or white-handed gibbon, Hylobates lar Malaysian lar gibbon, Hylobates lar lar Carpenter's lar gibbon, Hylobates lar carpenteri Central lar gibbon, Hylobates lar entelloides Sumatran lar gibbon, Hylobates lar vestitus Yunnan lar gibbon, Hylobates lar yunnanensis Bornean white-bearded gibbon, Hylobates albibarbis Agile gibbon or black-handed gibbon, Hylobates agilis Western grey gibbon or Abbott's grey gibbon, Hylobates abbotti Eastern grey gibbon or northern grey gibbon, Hylobates funereus Müller's gibbon or southern grey gibbon, Hylobates muelleri Silvery gibbon, Hylobates moloch Pileated gibbon or capped gibbon, Hylobates pileatus Kloss's gibbon or Mentawai gibbon, bilou or dwarf siamang, Hylobates klossii Genus Hoolock Genus Symphalangus Genus Nomascus
Hybrids Hybrids between Müller's gibbon (H. muelleri) and the Bornean white-bearded gibbon, (H. albibarbis) have been reported in areas of Borneo. A gibbon born at the Kujukushima Zoo in Japan to a female lar or white-handed gibbon (H. lar) was determined to have been fathered by a male agile gibbon (H. agilis).
References
External links
Primate Info Net Hylobates Factsheets
cs:Gibon