Science did it again. Once thought to be the yellow-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus gabriellae), now appears to be a different species, the northern buffed-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus annamensis).
Scientists, led by German researcher Christian Roos, used vocalisation patterns and genetic techniques to prove the species are different. Apart from being a new milestone in the track record of Dr. Roos, it also adds yet another specimen from the genus Nomascus to the list of (critically) endangered gibbon species. The number of animal of new species decreases the number of yellow-cheeked gibbons accordingly. That is too bad, but on the other hand it does support dedicated conservation actions, which relies on detailed knowledge on where which species can be found and how many specimens there are. (Source: Primatology.net, 22.09.2010)
