The Siamang The siamang, or Symphalangus syndactylus, is the largest species among gibbons (apes in the family Hylobatidae). Perhaps the easiest way to distinguish between the siamang and other primates is the inflatable throat sac that rests on their neck, which can exceed the size of a siamang’s head when expanded to its full size (Gron 1). The sac functions as an enhancer for the primate’s throat calls, allowing the siamang to have the loudest call of all gibbons. The throat sac is a key component in communication between fellow siamangs. A community of siamangs will use their throat calls every morning to mark their territory, and interact with other community members. Males and females have different songs, choruses made up of barks and …show more content…
high pitched noises that they sing as they swing through the trees, and together they make the perfect duet (El Paso Zoo 5). Other distinguishing characteristics of the siamang include webbing between the second and third toe. This webbing does not prevent them from carrying food and resources long distances, as they can grasp materials in both their hands and their feet. In some instances, this webbing is seen between other toes as well, and this trait is even included in the siamang’s species name (Gron 3). There are also notable physical differences between the males and females. What is known as “sexual dimorphism”, male siamangs are typically significantly larger than female siamang. This difference, on average, is around 3-5 pounds. Male siamangs also possess long genitals, sometimes referred to as “tails”, and these genitals hang down as far as 5-6 inches. Such differences in gender are similar to differences between female and male humans. Both genders have long arms, extending out more than two and half times the body length (average of 3 feet). Unlike many other primates, the siamangs do not drag their long arms and hands on the ground. A siamang typically keeps its hands and arms above its head as it walks around (Gron 6). In keeping with the image of the siamang swinging through trees, the natural habitat of the siamang is found on the island of Sumatra, in dense, heavily-populated (by a variety of species) forests.
They are also found in Malaysia, however the siamangs found on Sumatra are typically larger than their counterparts (Smithsonian 6). According to a research done by Kurt Gron of the National Primate Research Center, “Although sympatric with other gibbons in some habitats, siamangs occur more often at higher elevations than other gibbons.” It is then noted that siamangs are hardly ever found above 1500 meters (Gron 11). Siamangs are found in several zoos around the world, as well as in primate rescue centers. This to ensure that the species does not become extinct, as the loss and “fragmentation” of their habitats has diminished the population. Deforestation has impacted their natural habitat, and consequently, their population. Siamangs are also constantly threatened by illegal pet trade, where they are a popular “exotic” choice. In fact, siamangs are one of the most frequently traded primates in the world. Due to these harmful activities, many zoos and rescue centers even promote breeding programs to raise the population of the siamangs, as they are on the endangered specie’s list (Brewer
17). Perhaps influenced by the dense and rainy forests that the siamangs reside in, the diet of these primates mostly include vegetation. According to a profile done by the El Paso Zoo, “In the wild, siamangs live on 43-48% leaves, about 40% fruits and the remainder flowers, some insects, small vertebrates, nestlings, and bird eggs. They often suspend by one hand while eating, and they eat a greater percentage of leaves compared to other gibbons” (El Paso Zoo 10). The siamang spends the majority of its life in the trees, so leaves are a popular choice. At a typical zoo that holds siamangs and other primates, they are fed fruit, monkey chow, and vegetation. Although most primates have some variation of these selections, siamangs have more vegetation in their diet. Their “area” is usually well stocked with vegetation and fruit, as siamangs like to graze. Monkey chow, or “monkey biscuits” are the main source of protein for a siamang held in captivity (Nijboer 4). When it comes to food, resources, and land, siamangs are extremely territorial. Confrontations between fellow siamangs are intense, and include high speed chases through the trees with biting and hitting. These altercations typically take place between the males of the group, or of other groups. Humans, or “intruders”, are confronted by the male (as the female hides). This type of behavior shows how gender plays a role in social interactions among group members, and nongroup members, with the male siamangs controlling the situation. Humans may also be a victim of biting and hitting, however, there aren’t many instances of siamang attacks (El Paso Zoo 5). There are even studies that have been done that prove siamangs can interact peacefully with other species. A male Lar gibbon was socialized with a male siamang, and within time, they were performing “songs” together (MacKinnon). The most distinguishing aspect of siamang interaction is their daily “concerts” that they perform each morning to mark their territory. Male and female couples will, as discussed above, perform a duet together as they swing through the trees. These songs can last up to 15 minutes, over a distance of two to three miles. After this performance, the siamang community will set out for food. This feeding can take up to five hours, and is usually followed by grooming. According to the profile done by the El Paso Zoo, “Grooming is a display of dominance; the more dominant receives more grooming than it gives”. What can be inferred from this is that male siamangs receive the most grooming, although both female and male siamangs perform the ritual. In total, a siamang spends about 8-10 hours awake and active each day (El Paso Zoo 4) Although siamang groups are interact closely and in harmony, the population and group size of a siamang community is limited. “In a study on this species in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Sumatra, O'Brien et al. (2004) calculated an average group density of one group for every 2.23 km2, with an average group size of 3.9, and a population estimate of 22,390 individuals”, states the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Siamangs typically live in pairs, so 2-4 per group is an average estimate. These numbers vary among groups, as well as in different geographical locations. There are more siamangs found on the Island of Sumatra, then anywhere else, so conservation efforts are typically concentrated there (Nijman 17). The life of a siamang, like other primates, is complex, social, and full of attachments: starting at birth. Siamangs can live long lives, up to 40 years (20-25 years on average), especially when living in captivity (Gron 1). In infancy, the siamang will cling to its mother for at least 3 months. Male siamangs also take part in raising the young, and are often seen carrying their offspring around. At about 6-7 years of age, the young siamang reaches sexual maturity and is able to begin reproducing. The female siamang can produce up to 10 offspring during their lifespan (El Paso Zoo). The siamangs are a diverse and interesting species. An important testament to their evolution as a species, the siamangs have extreme upper arm strength. This allows them to constantly swing from tree to tree, rarely touching the forest floor. Siamangs are also monogamous, meaning they form long term sexual and emotional bonds with a single partner, and they rarely reconnect with another individual if their partner dies (El Paso Zoo 6). Certain aspects of the siamang are reminiscent of human behavior, and that makes reading about the species intriguing and familiar.
Mao Zedong was born December 26, 1893 and lived until September 9 in 1976 when he died in Beijing China. Mao Zedong died from the Motor neuron disease. Mao Zedong was born into a peasant family in the place Shoshanna near Hunan. During the years of 1928 throughout 1931. Mao Zedong and others that worked with Mao Zedong established armies in the hinterlands and created the Red Army which was known as the most feared “army” in china during the time of the revolution.
During the Genpei War, a young women who name was Tomoe Gozen was a Japanese women Samurai. She was born in 1157 to 1247 and in Japanese standards. She died at the age of ninety-one years old. Tomoe Gozen was one of the few women Samurai legends. She fought alongside her husband, Minamoto no Yoshinaka, then against her cousin Taira. Tomoe Gozen was famous as a swordswomen, a skilled ride, and a superd archer. She was her husband, Minamoto, first captain. Tomoe Gozen at least took one person head off during the battle of Awazu in 1184. Late in the Genpei war was a conflict between two Samari clans, the Minamoto clan and the Taira clan. Both of the families wanted to control the Shogunate. At the end, the Minamoto clan won and then established the Kamakura Shogunate in 1192. After the war, some people say that Tomoe stayed in the fight and died. Others say she rode away and carrying a man’s head. Still others says she married Wada Yoshimori, then she became a nun.
The Niitsitapi (also called Blackfoot Indians), reside in the Great Plains of Montana as well as Alberta and Saskatchewan located in Canada. Only one of the Niitsitapi tribes are named Siksika, also known as Blackfoot.
Snowdon, C. T., Brown, C. H., & Petersen, M. R. (1982). Primate communication. Cambridge [Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press].
4. Due to lack of facial Muscles they cannot make facial changes that other primates use to communicate.
Jen Viegas Seeker in the article, more the half of primates are threatened with extinction.
As celebrities stand distinctively among the masses and cast out their halos of personality charm and strong suits of skilled abilities, the controversies about them are unavoidable shadows created from their fame. With the popularization of celebrity culture, information synchronization, and communication technology, their lives are publicly exposed and various forms of media (depending on eras) record their flaws. Tough information transmitted to audiences are frequently biased, evidences of objective reality remains, even in the remote past.
Chimpanzees (Figure 1) are the closest living relatives to us, and they share 99 percent of our DNA (1). Chimpanzees have distinct group territoriality. Male chimpanzees “patrol” near the boundary between the two ranges, at that time they move very carefully and quietly, and they can cease to listen and observe the range of their neighbors. Patrolling individuals are likely to face cruel and violent attacks, injuries, and even deaths. Intense excitement and aggressive display can occur if the two parties of two communities encounter each other. Usually, the larger group holds its ground, and interaction between different chimpanzees communities may also lead to gang attack. Expanding the community range is necessary to their social organizations, the males cooperation can defend the territory and increase the reproductive rates of the resident females by excluding female and male competitors. Body contact is common in their social life such as grooming (1). Usually, chimpanzees groom each other as a way to show harmony and solidarity in their society (Figure 2). Grooming each other demonstrates the deep bonds and close relationship between them. In addition, they can even hug, hold hands, touch, kiss each other as a way of emotional expression (2).
The phenomenal recent discovery of the species saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), was found in the Annamite Mountains along the Laos/Vietnam border in 1992. The saola was the first latest large mammal to be discovered in over 50 years, making it one of the biggest zoological discoveries of the 20th century. Also known as the “Asian unicorn,” the rare saola species prefer living in moist, dense evergreen forests with little or no dry season. The saolas have been attempting to survive in the condensed regions of the subtropical evergreen or mixed evergreen and deciduous forests, only found within the Annamite Mountain Range along the northwest-southeast Vietnam-Laos border (Holcomb). The area of the narrow range of the forests that the saola used to inhabit was is 5,000 to 15,000 sq. km, although they don’t inhabit in this area anymore. The saolas’ extremely scarce numbers make their dispersal difficult to determine; currently, they are known to be densely populated into the decreasing area of the evergreen forests and travel mainly individually and occasionally in clumped dispersion. They have been mainly sighted nearby streams, most likely to survive off of the water and possible supplies nearby. Saolas also tend to live on the borderlines of the forests; they currently inhabit the mountain forests during the wetter seasons and live in the lowlands during the winter. Saola are currently known to be herbivores, eating leafy plants, fig leaves, and stems along the rivers, observed from locals that have sighted them. And their shelters that they specifically reside in are unknown.
Language is commonly held to be the province of humans, but other inhabitants of earth possess their own forms of communication. Birds, dolphins, and whales are some of those that have a language. Primates also use vocal communication with each other. Their utterances have varied uses and volumes, with each primate’s voice being distinct just as human voices are. These unique calls have given researchers insight into the social workings of primate groups. The very fact that primates have a language offers insight into the evolution of language and calls into question what the term human truly means.
The story of the Hokulea, a model of the first canoes that brought the first Polynesians to Hawaii, is a story that restores cultural pride and history to Hawaiians. Her legacy was almost extinct, but survived and restored the relationship that society has with its island home. More than 600 years had gone by without seeing one of these canoes, until artist Herb Kane thought to build a sailing canoe just like the ones his ancestors sailed (“The Story of Hokulea”). Responsible for being the cornerstone of Polynesian culture, the Hokulea has evolved over many years and has helped revive a heritage that was almost lost.
Primates have long been understood to have a distinct connection with other animals of its kind, perhaps one of the reasons why their behavior has been most often than not closely related to how humans interact in social groups. However, between different emerging species, it could be analyzed how competition becomes a vital part of the connection they share between each other. This is the reason why it was easier to preserve species of different kinds of primates even within the same locations of habitat. Cross-breeding was not that common among primates due to being highly territorial in nature. Male primates often direct their groups specifically having a distinct distance from other types of other primates. This is why preserving intact social groups among monkeys have been a distinct characteristic of the animal, giving them a greater chance of propagating and preserving their own groups surviving within a specific habitat. When instances of environmental imbalance occurs, primates often move as groups, hence bringing their whole clan and community along with them as they follow their leaders find viable locations to become their new home.
Stanford CB. 2006. The behavioral ecology of sympatric African apes: Implications for understanding fossil hominoid ecology. Primates 47:91-101.
Great Apes are at the brink of extinction due to deforestation, hunting, and bushmeat trade. Our closest cousins are now viewed as economic commodities rather than valuable agents to the environment and humanity. In order to explore this issue, there must be an examinitation of why primate populations are dwindling, if these populations can replenish themselves, and what measures the international community is taking to alleviate the problem.
Aryabhata was born in around 476 CE. He was born in India during the Kali Kusumpura Yuga (the age of the demon). This age was known as the age of demon because it had constant eclipses, which people believed to be created by a demon. Most of Aryabhata’s childhood and life events are a mystery. Hardly any records are left about his life. During this era, many didn’t write, but rather used symbols that represented words. Aryabhata, for instance, used his knuckles as a calendar. January would start from the pinky of the left hand. February would be the ring finger of the left hand and so on. All that is known about Aryabhata is that he was indeed one of the first Indian astronomers and mathematicians.