Definition
noun, plural: lesser apes
Any of the apes of the family Hylobatidae (gibbons) characterized by being relatively smaller, low sexual dimorphism, and not making nest
Supplement
The apes are tailless anthropoid primates of the superfamily Hominoidea. There are two major groups of apes, i.e. the great apes and the lesser apes. The lesser apes differ from the great apes in having a smaller body frame and long arms they use to swing from branch to branch. The lesser apes also show low sexual dimorphisms. They are often found inhabiting the tropical and subtropical rainforests in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and China.
The lesser apes of the family Hylobatidae is comprised by four genera and 17 species of gibbons. The four genera are as follows:
- Hylobates
- Hoolock
- Nomascus
- Symphalangus
The lesser apes share the following common characteristics: smaller, low sexual dimorphism, and not making nest. They resemble the monkeys more than the other apes. Nevertheless, just as the great apes, the lesser apes are also tailless.
Scientific classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Primates
- Suborder: Haplorhini
- Superfamily: Hominoidea
- Family: Hylobatidae Gray, 1870
Also called:
See also:
