Main description:

This volume provides insight into gibbon diet and community ecology, the mating system and reproduction, and conservation biology, all topics which represent areas of substantial progress in understanding socio-ecological flexibility and conservation needs of the hylobatid family. This work analyzes hylobatid evolution by synthesizing recent and ongoing studies of molecular phylogeny, morphology, and cognition in a framework of gibbon and siamang evolution. With its clearly different perspective, this book is written to be read, referenced, and added to the bookshelves of scientists, librarians, and the interested public.

Contents:

Part I. - Introduction

1. The Evolution of Gibbons and Siamang

Reichard U.H., Barelli C., Hirai H. & Nowak M.G.

2. The Role of Historical and Fossil Records in Predicting Changes in the Spatial Distribution of Hylobatids

Chatterjee H.J.

3. Locomotion and Posture in Ancestral Hominoids Prior to the Split of Hylobatids

Nowak M.G. & Reichard U.H.

4. The Fossil Record and Evolutionary History of Hylobatids

Harrison, T.

5. Climate and Geography of Asia: Miocene to Pleistocene

Reichard U.H. & Croissier M.M.

Part II. - Gibbon and Siamang Phylogeny

6. Unique evolution of heterochromatin and alpha satellite DNA in small apes

Koga A. & Hirai H.

7. Phylogeny and Classification of Gibbons (Hylobatidae) Roos C.

Part III. - Evolution of Gibbon and Siamang Morphology and Locomotion

8. Why is the Siamang Larger than other Hylobatids?

Reichard U.H. & Preuschoft H.

9. Gibbons to Gorillas: Allometric Issues in Hominoid Cranial Evolution

Leslie E.R. & Shea B.T.

10. Nowak M.G. & Reichard U.H.

11. Selective Value of Characteristic Size Parameters in Hylobatids. A Biomechanical Approach to Small Ape Size and Morphology.

Preuschoft H., Schoenewasser K.-H. & Witzel U.

Part IV. - Gibbon and Siamang Cognition

12. Hand Manipulation Skills in Hylobatids

Prime J.M. & Ford S.

13. The Evolution of Technical Intelligence: Perspectives from the Hylobatidae

Cunningham C.L., Anderson J.R. & Mootnick A.R.

14. Communication and Cognition of Small Apes

Liebal K.

15. Gibbon songs: Understanding the Evolution and Development of this Unique Form of Vocal Communication

Koda H.