Gibbon Taxonomy

The 20 species of gibbon are grouped into four genera:

Hylobates

Nomascus

Hoolock

Siamang

List of gibbon species by genus

Characterized by 44 chromosomes

Range from Southern China to western and central Java

Often have a ring of white fur around their faces

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Characterized by 52 chromosomes

Range from Southern China to Southern Vietnam

Display sexual dichromatism (different pelage coloration based on sex)

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Characterized by 38 chromosomes

Native to Eastern Bangladesh, Northeastern India, and Southwestern China

Males are black with white brows, and females have grey-brown fur with white rings around the mouth and eyes

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Characterized by 50 chromosomes

Native to Malaysia, Thailand, and Sumatra

Largest of the gibbons

Only gibbon species with throat sac or scrotal tuft

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