The Skywalker hoolock gibbon is one of 517 new species granted protected status in China. In studying the genetic characteristics of wild gibbons and museum specimens, the researchers determined distinct differences between the Skywalker hoolock and H. leuconedys. In a separate study, the skull appendages of an extinct relative of the giraffe reminded scientists of Queen Padmé Amidala's headgear, so the researchers named the extinct animal Xenokeryx amidalae. Scientists named a new species of gibbon ape after Star Wars rebel character Luke Skywalker. Scientists believe that Skywalker hoolock gibbons diverged from their nearest relatives about 500,000 years ago when the waters of Myanmar’s Irrawaddy River separated them. Influence of traditional ecological knowledge on conservation of the skywalker hoolock gibbon (Hoolock tianxing) outside nature reserves. Please refresh the page and try again. The new discovery of the Skywalker hoolock gibbon was described in a paper published online Tuesday (Jan. 10) in the American Journal of Primatology. No, it's not from a galaxy far, far away, but it does live in southwest China. 241, Issue. Photo: Shutterstock Of the protected species, 234 have first-class protection and 746 second-class. They give birth to only one child at a time, and the baby is pale white at birth. CrossRef; Google Scholar; Google Scholar Citations. The results suggest that hoolocks distributed to the east of the Irrawaddy-Nmai Hka Rivers, which were previously assigned to H. leuconedys, are morphologically and genetically distinct from those to the west of the river, and should be recognized as a new species, the Gaoligong hoolock gibbon or skywalker hoolock gibbon … The Hoolock gibbons’ original entire habitat covered about 100,000 square miles (160,000 sq km) and shrunk to 35,000 square miles (56,000 sq km) in 1987. View all Google Scholar citations for this article. The males and females are different in appearance: the males are covered in a black coat while the females have a light-colored coat ranging from pale gray to yellowish brown. A newly discovered gibbon species, potentially on the brink of extinction, desperately needs your help! However, they do share a number of characteristics. This species is Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. We get the Skywalker hoolock gibbon. The series "Primates in jeopardy" is based on the list "World's 25 Most Endangered Primates (2018-2020)" co-published by IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group (PSG), International Primatological Society (IPS), Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC) and Bristol Zoological Society (BZS). "Increased awareness of the remarkable ecosystem of the Gaoligong mountains and improved conservation is essential, to ensure we have time to get fully acquainted with this exciting new species before it's too late.". However, scientists determined that the gibbons living to the east of the Irawaddy-Nmai Hka rivers are a distinct species. Researchers chose to name the ape the “Skywalker” hoolock gibbon (Hoolock tianxing) in order to reflect its preferred home high in the forest canopy, as well as what they describe as “the historical Chinese view of them as almost mystical beings.” The force is with a new species of gibbon discovered … The species was widespread in all the forested areas of northeastern India until the 1980s. A new gibbon species was discovered in southwest Asia, and scientists have named it for the famous "Star Wars" character. Skywalker is the main protagonist of the film franchise. This is the tenth iteration of a biennial listing of a consensus of the 25 primate species considered to be among the most endangered worldwide and the most in need of conservation measures. Non-human primates are our closest relatives on this planet. Unlike other gibbon species, they have … Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, 14 PHOTOS. Beijing ICP prepared NO.16065310-3. There are 18 different species of gibbons, and each species is different from the next. (Video provided by CGTN Nature film crew, cover image designed by CGTN's Chen Yuyang. A male Skywalker hoolock gibbon. It has been named the Skywalker hoolock gibbon - partly because the Chinese characters of its scientific name mean "Heaven's movement" but also because the scientists are fans of Star Wars. Samuel Turvey, a senior research fellow at ZSL and co-author of the study, said the exciting discovery of the new species is laced with sadness. How about this, the species has been named the Skywalker hoolock gibbon. But in winter, the frequency of the calls reduces as the winter on plateau is harsh and they need to save energy to make it through. Formally described in January 2017, the Skywalker hoolock gibbon (Hoolock tianxing) was named after Luke Skywalker because, like all gibbons… Along with calling for the animals to be recognized as a new species, the researchers have prompted the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to list the Skywalker gibbon as endangered. CONTACT Gibbons comprise four genera (Symphalangus, Hylobates, Hoolock and Nomascus), and some 20 species, including the newly described skywalker hoolock gibbon, Hylobates tianxing (Anandam et … Content by Andie Ang unless otherwise stated © 2014-2020 | Andie Ang. New York, In 2017 a new species of gibbon, the Skywalker Hoolock (Hoolock tianxing), was described by science. The Gaoligong hoolock gibbon mating season starts in September. Like similar species that live in China and Myanmar, the so-called skywalker hoolock gibbon is endangered. For instance, the Skywalker gibbons' eyebrows are thinner and farther apart, and the shape of their skulls and teeth differentiate them from the other hoolock gibbons. The results suggest that hoolocks distributed to the east of the Irrawaddy‐Nmai Hka Rivers, which were previously assigned to H. leuconedys, are morphologically and genetically distinct from those to the west of the river, and should be recognized as a new species, the Gaoligong hoolock gibbon or skywalker hoolock gibbon … The males and females mate while hanging on branches with their long and strong arms. All species have long arms, which they use to swing from branch to branch. Every morning in summer, they "sing" loudly in the forest to mark their territory. The Skywalker hoolock gibbons' home in the forests of the Gaoligong mountains was previously thought to be the habitat of another population of H. leuconedys. 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Also known as the "Skywalker" hoolock gibbon, it is the most endangered gibbon in the world, with less than 150 left. This species is Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Stay up to date on the coronavirus outbreak by signing up to our newsletter today. Adult female Skywalker hoolock gibbon They are therefore calling for these animals to be recognised as a new species: the Gaoligong or ‘Skywalker’ hoolock gibbon (H. tianxing sp. A number of other species have been named for the classic "Star Wars" movie series, from a "Chewbacca beetle" to a Jedi ant. Unlike other gibbon species, they have … The Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon, which was among newly discovered species in Asia's Greater Mekong documented by scientists in 2017. Skywalkers are covered in short fur, nearly jet black on males and beige on females. Skywalkers are covered in short fur, nearly jet black on males and beige on females. An adult female Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock tianxing). The most prominent and swift black shadow that shuttles in the lush forests of Gaoligong Mountain is that of the gibbon that is unique to this region – the Gaoligong hoolock gibbon. It was discovered stradling the border between China and Myanmar (Burma) in an isolated forest fragment … © It is the first gibbon species named by the Chinese, and was named after Luke Skywalker from the "Star Wars" franchise, as the scientist who found it was a big fan. (Image: © Zoological Society of London) In a galaxy not so far way, there's a new Skywalker in town. It is the first gibbon species named by the Chinese, and was named after Luke Skywalker from the "Star Wars" franchise, as the scientist who found it was a big fan. The skywalker hoolock gibbon (Hoolock tianxing) is a recently described species which occurs between the Irrawaddy River and the Salween River in Myanmar and China (Fan et al., 2017). The Force-sensitive moniker is a nod to the gibbons' lofty treetop home in the forests of the Gaoligong mountains in southwest China. , p. 108267. News about the Skywalker hoolock gibbon, which lives in forests in southwest China, was greeted with delight by actor Mark Hamill, who played the character in the films. We describe a species of Hoolock gibbon (Primates: Hylobatidae) that is new to science from eastern Myanmar and southwestern China. The Skywalker gibbon belongs to the genus Hoolock, which is native to Bangladesh, Northeast India and Southwest China.The Skywalker Gibbon, Hoolock tianxing, was discovered in the Gaoligong Mountains on the border of China and Myanmar, Hoolock tianxing was originally thought to belong to an already known species — the Eastern Hoolock… However, many species of primates are on the brink of extinction. The species has been named Skywalker hoolock gibbon partly because the Chinese characters of its scientific name mean “Heaven’s movement” and also because the scientists are fans of Star Wars, reported the BBC. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. In a galaxy not so far way, there's a new Skywalker in town. Visit our corporate site. Thank you for signing up to Live Science. "The Skywalker hoolock gibbon … faces the same grave and imminent risk to its survival as many other small ape species in southern China and Southeast Asia due to habitat loss and hunting," Turvey said in a statement. As the most common primate on Earth, homo sapiens share the same order with other 512 species across 93 countries. Species of gibbon. They play a significant role in various types of ecosystems, from the mysterious tropical forests to the grand African savannas, their intelligence is fascinating and sheds light into studies of human society and behaviors. Like all apes, gibbons do not have the prehensile tails that monkeys have. Scientists believe that Skywalker hoolock gibbons diverged from their nearest relatives about 500,000 years ago when the waters of Myanmar’s Irrawaddy River separated them. This site remains a work in progress. The Gaoligong Mountain sits on the plateau in southwestern China, and straddles the border of China and Myanmar. nov.) – a Star Wars -inspired name reflecting the high treetop home of the gibbons, and the historical Chinese view of them as almost mystical beings. The hoolock gibbons are three primate species of genus Hoolock in the gibbon family, Hylobatidae, native to eastern Bangladesh, Northeast India, Myanmar and Southwest China. The white "brows" of the Gaoligong hoolock gibbon give it a serious look, as if it is a contemplative old man. Also known as the "Skywalker" hoolock gibbon, it is the most endangered gibbon in the world, with less than 150 left. The genus of hoolock gibbons comprises two previously described living species, the western (Hoolock hoolock) and eastern hoolock (H. leuconedys) gibbons, geographically … You will receive a verification email shortly. Now it is mostly concentrated in the Namdapha National Park in the … ), (If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com), Copyright © 2020 CGTN. The new species, described in the American Journal of Primatology, has been named the Gaoligong hoolock gibbon or ‘Skywalker’ hoolock gibbon (Hoolock tianxing).. Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. Links are in blue. There was a problem. The primate joins two other species in the genus of hoolock gibbons: the western (Hoolock hoolock) and eastern hoolock (H. leuconedys) gibbons, which are geographically separated by the Chindwin River. The sound can be heard from several kilometers away. 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