Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
Hostname: page-component-745bb68f8f-5r2nc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-01-14T01:24:26.308Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

4 - Gibbons in the Anthropocene

Lessons from a Long-Term Study in Indonesia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 April 2023

By
Susan M. Cheyne ,
Abdulaziz K ,
Supiansyah ,
Twentinolosa ,
Adul ,
Claire J.H. Thompson ,
Lindy Thompson ,
Reychell Chadwick ,
Hélène Birot  and
Carolyn Thompson
...Show all authors
Edited by
Susan M. Cheyne ,
Carolyn Thompson ,
Peng-Fei Fan  and
Helen J. Chatterjee
Susan M. Cheyne
Affiliation:
Borneo Nature Foundation
Carolyn Thompson
Affiliation:
University College London
Peng-Fei Fan
Affiliation:
Sun Yat-Sen University, China
Helen J. Chatterjee
Affiliation:
University College London
Get access

Summary

Since 2005, Borneo Nature Foundation has produced 50 peer-reviewed papers/book chapters on gibbons plus several reports, standard operating procedures, training materials and DVDs. Here we present 15 years of long-term wild gibbon behavioural data that represents one of the longest continuous datasets on any gibbon species. Not only has our knowledge of gibbons increased, but the profile of the small apes has also increased since 2005. This review presents data gathered by the Borneo Nature Foundation, highlighting new insights into gibbon behavioural ecology and conservation lessons learnt. Gibbons are proving to be relatively consistent in their behaviour, irrespective of changes in group demography. Although threats to gibbons across their range remain high, they demonstrate their ability to adapt their behaviour to anthropogenic disturbance. While flexible in behaviour (e.g. adapting travel routes in disturbed habitat), there is a threshold at which a forest becomes unsuitable for sustaining viable gibbon populations. We must understand more about their behavioural ecology in order to determine this threshold to help protect gibbons.

Keywords

gibbonSebangaubehaviourecologyconservationHylobates albibarbis
Type
Chapter
Information
Gibbon Conservation in the Anthropocene , pp. 57 - 77
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ahsan, M.F. (2001). Socio-ecology of the hoolock gibbon (Hylobates hoolock) in two forests of Bangladesh. In The Apes: Challenges for the 21st Century, Brookfield Zoo, May 10–13, 2000, Conference Proceedings. Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield, IL: 286–299.Google Scholar
Altmann, J. (1974). Observational study of behaviour: sampling methods. Behaviour, 49: 227–265.Google Scholar
Barelli, C., Boesch, C., Heistermann, M. and Reichard, U.H. (2008). Female white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar) lead group movements and have priority of access to food resources. Behaviour, 145: 965–981.Google Scholar
Bartlett, T.Q. (2001). Extra-group copulations by sub-adult gibbons: implications for understanding gibbon social organisation (abstract). American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 114(Suppl 32): 36.Google Scholar
Brockelman, W.Y. and Ali, R. (1987). Methods of surveying and sampling forest primate populations. In Mittermeier, R.A. and Marsh, R.W. (eds.), Primate Conservation in the Tropical Rainforest. Alan Liss, New York: 23–62.Google Scholar
Brockelman, W.Y. and Srikosamatara, S. (1993). Estimation of density of gibbon groups by use of loud songs. American Journal of Primatology, 29: 93–108.Google Scholar
Brockelman, W.Y. and Srikosamatara, S. (1984). Maintenance and evolution of social structure in gibbons. In Preuschoft, H., Chivers, D.J., Brockelman, W.Y. and Creel, N. (eds.), The Lesser Apes: Evolutionary and Behavioural Biology. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh: 298–323.Google Scholar
Buckley, C., Nekaris, K.A.I. and Husson, S.J. (2006). Survey of Hylobates agilis albibarbis in a logged peat-swamp forest: Sabangau catchment, Central Kalimantan. Primates, 47(4): 327–335.Google Scholar
Campbell, C., Andayani, N., Cheyne, S.M., et al. (2008). Indonesian Gibbon Conservation and Management Workshop Final Report. IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, Apple Valley, MA.Google Scholar
Cannon, C.H. and Leighton, M. (1994). Comparative locomotor ecology of gibbons and macaques: selection of canopy elements for crossing gaps. Amercan Journal of Physical Anthropology, 93: 505–524.Google Scholar
Cheyne, S.M. (2007). Effects of meteorology, astronomical variables, location and human disturbance on the singing apes: Hylobates albibarbis. American Journal of Primatology, 40: 1–7.Google Scholar
Cheyne, S.M. (2008a). Gibbon feeding ecology and diet characteristics. Folia Primatologica, 79: 320.Google Scholar
Cheyne, S.M. (2008b). Feeding ecology, food choice and diet characteristics of gibbons in a disturbed peat-swamp forest, Indonesia. In Lee, P.C., Honess, P., Buchanan-Smith, H., MacLarnon, A. and Sellers, W.I. (eds.), 22nd Congress of the International Primatological Society (IPS). Top Copy, Bristol: 342.Google Scholar
Cheyne, S.M. (2009). Studying social development and cognitive abilities in gibbons (Hylobates spp.): methods and applications. In Potocki, E. and Krasinski, J. (eds.), Primatology: Theories, Methods and Research. Nova Science Publishers, New York.Google Scholar
Cheyne, S.M. (2010). Behavioural ecology and socio-biology of gibbons (Hylobates albibarbis) in a degraded peat-swamp forest. In Supriatna, J. and Gursky, S.L. (eds.), Indonesian Primates. Springer, New York: 121–156.Google Scholar
Cheyne, S.M. (2011a). Ex-Mega Rice Project Gibbon Density and Comparison with Other Sites. Orangutan Tropical Peatland Project. Borneo Nature Foundation, Palangka Raya, Indonesia.Google Scholar
Cheyne, S.M. (2011b). Gibbon locomotion research in the field: problems, possibilities and benefits for conservation. In D’Août, K. and Vereecke, E.E. (eds.), Primate Locomotion: Linking Field and Laboratory Research. Springer, New York: 201–214.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cheyne, S.M. and Chivers, D.J. (2006). Sexual swellings of female gibbons. Folia Primatologica, 77: 345–352.Google Scholar
Cheyne, S.M., Harrison, M.E. and Morrogh-Bernard, H. (2005). Differences in orang-utan and gibbon diets in the Sebangau National Park, Indonesia: implications for conservation. In Reiley, J.O. (ed.), Proceedings of the International Symposium and Workshop on Restoration and Wise Use of Tropical Peatland. CIMTROP, Palangka Raya, Indonesia: 100–103.Google Scholar
Cheyne, S.M., Chivers, D.J. and Sugardjito, J. (2007). Covarvariation in the great calls of rehabilitant and wild gibbons (Hylobates albibarbis). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 55: 201–207.Google Scholar
Cheyne, S.M., Chivers, D.J. and Sugardjito, J. (2008a). Biology and behaviour of reintroduced gibbons. Biodiversity and Conservation, 17: 1741–1751.Google Scholar
Cheyne, S.M., Thompson, C.J.H., Phillips, A.C., Hill, R.M.C. and Limin, S.H. (2008b). Density and population estimate of gibbons (Hylobates albibarbis) in the Sabangau Catchment, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Primates, 49: 50–56.Google Scholar
Cheyne, S.M., Monks, E.M. and Kuswanto, Y. (2010a). An observation of lethal aggression in Bornean agile gibbons Hylobates albibarbis. Gibbon Journal, 6: 1–6.Google Scholar
Cheyne, S.M., Moise, K.L., Johnson, P. and Dunbar, R.I.M. (2010b). Ecological niche modelling of the small apes: constraints on gibbon distribution and habitat. In Proceedings of the 23rd Congress of the International Primatological Society Congress, Kyoto, Japan, 12–17 September 2010. International Journal of Primatology, 32: 273–287.Google Scholar
Cheyne, S.M., Campbell, C.O. and Payne, K.L. (2012a). Proposed guidelines for gibbon rehabilitation and reintroduction. International Zoo News, 46: 1–17.Google Scholar
Cheyne, S.M., Zrust, M., Hoeing, A. et al. (2012b). Barito River Initiative for Nature Conservation and Communities (BRINCC) Preliminary Report. BRINCC Expedition: Palangka Raya, Indonesia.Google Scholar
Cheyne, S.M., Höing, A., Rinear, J. and Sheeran, L.K.K. (2013a). Sleeping site selection by agile gibbons: the influence of tree stability, fruit availability, and predation risk. Folia Primatologica, 89: 299–311.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cheyne, S.M., Thompson, C.J.H. and Chivers, D.J. (2013b). Travel adaptations of gibbons Hylobates albibarbis (Primates: Hylobatidae) in a degraded secondary forest, Indonesia. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 5: 3963–3968.Google Scholar
Cheyne, S.M., Gilhooly, L.J., Hamard, M.C., et al. (2016). Population mapping of gibbons in Kalimantan, Indonesia: correlates of gibbon density and vegetation across the species’ range. Endangered Species Research, 30: 133–143.Google Scholar
Cheyne, S.M., Quinten, M. and Hodges, J.K. (2018). Primates of the peat-swamp in Borneo and Sumatra. In Barnett, A., Matsuda, I. and Nowak, K. (eds.), Primates in Flooded Habitats: Ecology and Conservation. Chicago University Press, Chicago.Google Scholar
Cheyne, S.M., Capilla, B.R., Abdulaziz, K., et al. (2019). Home range variation and site fidelity of Bornean southern gibbons (Hylobates albibarbis) from 2010–2018. PLoS ONE, 14(7): e021778.Google Scholar
Chivers, D.J. (1972). The siamang and the gibbon in the Malay peninsula. In Rumbaugh, D. (ed.), Gibbon and Siamang. Karger, Basel: 103–135.Google Scholar
Chivers, D.J. (1974). The Siamang in Malaya: A Field Study of a Primate in Tropical Rainforest. Karger, Basel.Google Scholar
Clink, D.J., Bernard, H., Crofoot, M.C. and Marshall, A.J. (2017). Investigating individual vocal signatures and small-scale patterns of geographic variation in female Bornean gibbon (Hylobates muelleri) great calls. International Journal of Primatology, 38(4): 656–671.Google Scholar
Clink, D.J., Charif, R.A., Crofoot, M.C. and Marshall, A.J. (2018). Evidence for vocal performance constraints in a female nonhuman primate. Animal Behavior, 141: 85–94.Google Scholar
Coiner-Collier, S., Scott, R.S., Chalk-Wilayto, J., et al. (2016). Primate dietary ecology in the context of food mechanical properties. Journal of Human Evolution, 98: 103–118.Google Scholar
Dillis, C., Beaudrot, L., Feilen, K.L., et al. (2014). Modeling the ecological and phenological predictors of fruit consumption by gibbons (Hylobates albibarbis). Biotropica, 47: 85–93.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dunbar, R.I.M., Cheyne, S.M., Lan, D., et al. (2019). Environment and time as constraints on the biogeographical distribution of gibbons. American Journal of Primatology, 81: e22940.Google Scholar
Ehlers Smith, D.A., Ehlers Smith, Y.C. and Cheyne, S.M. (2013). Home range use and activity patterns of red langurs in Sabangau tropical peat-swamp forest, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. International Journal of Primatology, 34: 957–972.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ellefson, J.O. (1968). Territorial behaviour in the common white-handed gibbon, Hylobates lar. In Jay, P.C. (ed.), Primates: Studies in Adaptation and Variability. Holt, New York: 180–199.Google Scholar
Geissmann, T. (2007). Status reassessment of the gibbons: results of the Asian Primate Red List Workshop 2006. Gibbon Journal, 3: 5–15.Google Scholar
Gilhooly, L.J., Rayadin, Y. and Cheyne, S.M. (2015). A comparison of hylobatid survey methods using triangulation on Müller’s gibbon (Hylobates muelleri) in Sungai Wain Protection Forest, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. International Journal of Primatology, 36: 567–582.Google Scholar
Gittins, S.P. (1979). The Behaviour and Ecology of the Agile Gibbon (Hylobates agilis). PhD thesis, University of Cambridge.Google Scholar
Gittins, S.P. (1980). Territorial behaviour in the agile gibbon. International Journal of Primatology, 1: 381–399.Google Scholar
Gittins, S.P. (1984). Territorial advertisement and defense in gibbons. In Preuschoft, H.H., Chivers, D.J., Brockelman, W.Y. and Creel, N. (eds.), The Lesser Apes: Evolutionary and Behavioural Biology. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh: 420–424.Google Scholar
Groves, C. (2001). Primate Taxonomy. Smithsonian Institute Press, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
Haag, L. (2007). Gibbons in the smoke: experiences of a field study on Bornean white-bearded gibbons (Hylobates albibarbis) in central Kalimantan (Indonesia). Gibbon Journal, 3: 28–34.Google Scholar
Hamard, M., Cheyne, S.M. and Nijman, V. (2010). Vegetation correlates of gibbon density in the peat-swamp forest of the Sabangau Catchment, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. American Journal of Primatology, 72: 607–616.Google Scholar
Harrison, M.E., Cheyne, S.M., Morrogh-Bernard, H. and Husson, S.J. (2005). What can apes tell us about the health of their environment? A preliminary analysis of the use of orang-utans and gibbons as biological indicators of changes in habitat quality in tropical peat swamp forests. In Reiley, J.O. (ed.), Proceedings of the International Symposium and Workshop on Restoration and Wise Use of Tropical Peatland. CIMTROP, Palangka Raya, Indonesia: 104–109.Google Scholar
Harrison, M.E., Cheyne, S.M., Sulistiyanto, Y. and Rieley, J.O. (2007). Biological effects of smoke from dry-season fires in non-burnt areas of the Sebangau peat-swamp forest, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. In Reiley, J.O., Banks, C.J. and Ragjagukguk, B. (eds.), The International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland. Carbon–Climate–Human Interactions: Carbon Pools, Fire, Mitigation, Restoration and Wise Use. CARBOPEAT, Department of Geography, University of Leicester.Google Scholar
Harrison, M.E., Husson, S.J., D’Arcy, L.J., et al. (2010). The Fruiting Phenology of Peat-Swamp Forest Tree Species at Sabangau and Tuanan, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, Palangka Raya. The Kalimantan Forests and Climate Partnership.Google Scholar
Harrison, M.E., Zweifel, N., Husson, S.J., et al. (2016). Disparity in onset timing and frequency of flowering and fruiting events in two Bornean peat-swamp forests. Biotropica, 48: 188–197.Google Scholar
Hilser, H.B. (2011). An assessment of primate health in the Sabangau peat-swamp forest, Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. MSc dissertation, Oxford Brookes University.Google Scholar
Kim, S., Lappan, S. and Choe, J.C. (2011). Diet and ranging behavior of the endangered Javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch) in a submontane tropical rainforest. American Journal of Primatology, 71: 270–280.Google Scholar
Knott, C.D. (1998). Changes in orangutan caloric intake, energy balance, and ketones in response to fluctuating fruit availability. International Journal of Primatology, 19: 1061–1079.Google Scholar
Knott, C.D. (2005). Energetic responses to food availability in the great apes: implications for human evolution. In Brockman, D. and van Schaik, C.P. (eds.), Primate Seasonality: Implications for Human Evolution. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.Google Scholar
Lucas, P.W., Gaskins, J.T., Lowrey, T.K., et al. (2011). Evolutionary optimization of material properties of a tropical seed. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 9: 34–42.Google Scholar
Marshall, A.J. (2004). Population ecology of gibbons and leaf monkeys across a gradient of Bornean forest types. PhD dissertation, Harvard University.Google Scholar
Marshall, A.J. (2009). Are montane forests demographic sinks for Bornean white-bearded gibbons Hylobates albibarbis? Biotropica, 42: 147–157.Google Scholar
Marshall, A.J., Cannon, C.H. and Leighton, M. (2009a). Competition and niche overlap between gibbons (Hylobates albibarbis) and other frugivorous vertebrates in Gunung Palung National Park, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. In Lappan, S. and Whittaker, D.J. (eds.), The Gibbons: New Perspectives on Small Ape Socioecology and Population Biology. Springer Science, New York: 161–188.Google Scholar
Marshall, A.J., Ancrenaz, M., Brearley, F.Q., et al. (2009b). The effects of forest phenology and floristics on populations of Bornean and Sumatran orangutans. In Wich, S.A., Utami Atmoko, S.S., Mitra Setia, T. and van Schaik, C.P. (eds.), Orangutans: Geographic Variation in Behavioral Ecology and Conservation. Oxford University Press, Oxford: 97–116.Google Scholar
Marshall, A.J., Nijman, V. and Cheyne, S. (2020). Hylobates albibarbis. In The IUCN Red Book of Threatened Species 2020. e.T39879A17967053. Available at https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T39879A17967053.en (accessed 12 December 2022).Google Scholar
Mitani, J.C. (1985). Gibbon song duets and interspacing behaviour. Behaviour, 92: 59–96.Google Scholar
Nijman, V. and Menken, S.B. (2005). Assessment of census techniques for estimating density and biomass of gibbons (Primates: Hylobatidae). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 53: 169–179.Google Scholar
Page, S.E., Rieley, J.O., Shotyk, Ø.W. and Weiss, D. (1999). Interdependence of peat and vegetation in a tropical peat swamp forest. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 354: 1807–1885.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Palombit, R.A. (1993). Lethal territorial aggression in a white-handed gibbon. American Journal of Primatology, 31: 311–318.Google Scholar
Raemaekers, J.J. and Raemaekers, P.M. (1985). Field playback of loud calls to gibbons (Hylobates lar): territorial, sex-specific and species-specific responses. Animal Behavior, 33: 481–493.Google Scholar
Reichard, U.H. and Sommer, V. (1997). Group encounters in wild gibbons (H. lar): agonism, affiliation and the concept of infanticide. Behaviour, 134: 1135–1174.Google Scholar
Reisland, M.A. and Lambert, J.E. (2016). Sympatric apes in sacred forests: shared space and habitat use by humans and endangered javan gibbons (Hylobates moloch). PLoS ONE, 11(1): e0146891.Google Scholar
Savini, T., Boesch, C. and Reichard, U.H. (2008). Home-range characteristics and the influence of seasonality on female reproduction in white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar) at Khao Yai National Park, Thailand. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 135: 1–12.Google Scholar
Shepherd, P.A., Rieley, J.O. and Page, S.E. (1997). The relationship between forest structure and peat characteristics in the upper catchment of the Sungai Sebangau, Central Kalimantan. In Rieley, J.O. and Page, S.E. (eds.), Biodiversity and Sustainability of Tropical Peatlands. Samara Publishing, Cardigan, UK: 191–210.Google Scholar
Singh, M., Cheyne, S.M. and Ehlers Smith, D.A. (2018). How conspecific primates use their habitats: surviving in an anthropogenically-disturbed forest in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Ecological Indicators, 87: 167–177.Google Scholar
Thompson, C., Cahyaningrum, E., Birot, H., Aziz, A. and Cheyne, S.M. (2022). A case of polygyny in the Bornean white-bearded gibbon (Hylobates albibarbis). Folia Primatologica, 93(1): 97–105.Google Scholar
Vogel, E.R., Haag, L., Mitra-Setia, T., van Schaik, C.P. and Dominy, N.J. (2009). Foraging and ranging behavior during a fallback episode: Hylobates albibarbis and Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii compared. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 140: 716–726.Google Scholar
Vogel, E.R., Harrison, M.E., Zulfa, A., et al. (2015). Nutritional differences between two Orangutan habitats: Implications for population density. PLoS One, 10(10): e0138612.Google Scholar
Wanelik, K.M., Azis, A. and Cheyne, S.M. (2013). Note-, phase- and song-specific acoustic variables contributing to the individuality of male duet song in the Bornean Southern gibbon (Hylobates albibarbis). Primates, 54: 159–170.Google Scholar

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure no-reply@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×