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- Title
Population, Distribution, Vocalization and Conservation of the Gaoligong Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock tianxing) in the Tengchong Section of the Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve, China.
- Authors
Bosco Pui Lok Chan; Chi Fung Mak; Jian-huan Yang; Xiang-yuan Huang
- Abstract
We conducted surveys to estimate the current population and distribution of the recently described Gaoligong hoolock gibbon (Hoolock tianxing) in Yunnan Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve Tengchong Bureau (TC-GLGS). The reserve supports the northernmost known population of the species in China. A total of 17-20 gibbons in 6-7 family groups were recorded in TC-GLGS in a population census conducted in 2016. The mean group size was 2.8-2.9 individuals (range 2-4) with a population density of 0.18-0.21 groups/km2. All groups contained a single adult pair, and juveniles and/or infants were observed in all but two. Mean dawn time was 07:26 h during the survey, and vocalizations were concentrated in the first hour after dawn (57.9% of total song bouts), with an average song bout duration of 25.7 min (n = 19). Four other primate species occurred in sympatry with the gibbons in the study area, with Macaca arctoides and M. assamensis being the most abundant. TC-GLGS appears to support the single largest subpopulation of H. tianxing in China, but the population density was very low, despite the presence of large areas of healthy, closed-canopy forest, suggesting that the population may have been well below carrying capacity. The suppressed population size is a combined result of rampant hunting in the past, loss of lower elevation forest, and ongoing disturbance by cattle grazing in the remaining gibbon habitat. Long-term conservation challenges facing the Gaoligong hoolock gibbon in China include the prevention of poaching and disturbance, restoration of deforested areas <2,000 m asl, and the establishment of biological corridors between forest fragments. Translocation to areas contiguous with larger subpopulations should be considered for single groups in isolated forest fragments.
- Subjects
CHINA; HOOLOCK (Genus); MAMMAL conservation; VOCALIZATION in mammals; MAMMAL populations; ZOOGEOGRAPHY; NATIONAL parks &; reserves
- Publication
Primate Conservation, 2017, Issue 31, p107
- ISSN
0898-6207
- Publication type
Article