Western gorilla

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Western gorilla
Western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla)

Western gorilla ( Gorilla gorilla )

Systematics
without rank: Old World Monkey (Catarrhini)
Superfamily : Human (Hominoidea)
Family : Apes (Hominidae)
Subfamily : Homininae
Genre : Gorillas ( gorilla )
Type : Western gorilla
Scientific name
Gorilla gorilla
( Savage , 1847)

The Western Gorilla ( Gorilla gorilla ) is one of two species of gorillas from the primate family of great apes (hominids). It is more common and slightly smaller than the second species, the Eastern Gorilla . Two subspecies are distinguished within the western gorilla: the western lowland gorilla ( G. g. Gorilla ) and the highly endangered cross-river gorilla ( G. g. Diehli ).

features

The skull of a male gorilla
Distribution area of ​​the western gorilla

The western gorillas differ from the eastern gorillas in addition to their smaller dimensions, among other things in their physique and fur color . This is rather gray-brown in this species, especially on the head there is a brownish cap. The gray coloring of older males (see silverback ) not only extends to the back, but can also spread to the hips and thighs. In addition, Western gorillas are a bit slimmer, with a narrower chest and shorter skull. The two subspecies differ in details in the construction of the skull and teeth. There are also differences in the way of life. Western gorillas live in smaller groups, feed on fruit to a greater extent and, on average, travel greater distances when foraging.

distribution

Western gorillas inhabit central Africa near the Gulf of Guinea . Cross-river gorillas live exclusively in the border region of Nigeria and Cameroon , around 300 kilometers northwest of the distribution area of ​​the western lowland gorillas. These are spread from southern Cameroon and the west of the Central African Republic via Equatorial Guinea , Gabon and the Republic of the Congo .

With a total population of around 360,000 animals, the western gorilla is by far the more common of the two gorilla species. The majority of this is made up of western lowland gorillas, which are also the most common gorilla group in zoos. In contrast, the Cross River Gorilla, with only a few hundred animals, is highly endangered. Due to hunting and the destruction of their habitat, the species is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN .

literature

  • Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Eds.): Mammal Species of the World. A taxonomic and geographic Reference. 2 volumes. 3. Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 .
  • Thomas Geissmann: Comparative Primatology . Springer, Berlin 2002. ISBN 3-540-43645-6

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Western gorilla. May 19, 2020, accessed May 19, 2020 .
  2. ↑ Fiona Maisels (Wildlife Conservation Society), Elizabeth A. Williamson (University of Stirling), Richard Bergl: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Western Gorilla. April 1, 2016, accessed May 19, 2020 .

Web links

Commons : Gorilla gorilla  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files