Space Use by Eastern Hoolock Gibbons (<b><i>Hoolock leuconedys</i></b>) in Nankang, Mt. Gaoligong, Southwest Yunnan, China

Abstract

To understand the differences in space use by eastern hoolock gibbons (Hoolock leuconedys) for meeting different behavioural needs and adapting to a disturbed environment, an eastern hoolock gibbon family in Nankang, Mt. Gaoligong, China, was observed, and data on their behaviour, spatial position and substrate use were collected through instantaneous scanning from October 2, 2010, to September 15, 2011. Our results suggested that connectivity was a primary factor influencing the movements of eastern hoolock gibbons. However, there were differences between spatial location and substrate use with different behaviours. Sitting and hanging were the main resting behaviours, but spatial position and substrate use for these two postures were different. Because tsaoko cultivation in this area has made understory plants rare, gibbons primarily used long, thin, horizontal branches in the first and second layers of the tree canopy for their movement. Although gibbons can selectively use the habitat and alter their spatial utilisation pattern accordingly, they are facing increased difficulty in movement and risk falling because of increased human disturbance and spread of tsaoko plantations. Therefore, it is important to limit the scope of tsaoko plantation to maintain a suitable habitat for Nankang gibbons.