Geissmann, T. 2001: A model of inheritance in gibbon songs. In: The XVIIIth congress of the International Primatological Society: Primates in the new millennium. Abstracts and programme, Adelaide, South Australia, p. 126.

A model of inheritance in gibbon songs

T. Geissmann

Institute of Zoology, Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover, Bünteweg 17, Hannover D-30559, Germany

Species-specifc characteristics of gibbon songs are believed to be largely genetically determined. This study compares female great calls of various hybrids and backcrosses of gibbon species including Hylobates agilis, H. lar, H. moloch, H. muelleri, and H. pileatus.

Results: Great calls of hybrid gibbons differ from those of parental species. These differences follow a common principle, which allows to predict the hypothetical great call structure of hybrid combinations and generations which have not been studied yet. The common principle also permits to test whether vocal similarities among gibbon species are based on homology or on convergent evolution.