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Gorillas of Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest and the Virunga Volcanoes: Taxonomic implications of morphological and ecological differences

1996; Wiley; Volume: 40; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1002/(sici)1098-2345(1996)40

1098-2345

Esteban E. Sarmiento, Thomas M. Butynski, Jan Kalina,

Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

American Journal of PrimatologyVolume 40, Issue 1 p. 1-21 Research Article Gorillas of Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest and the Virunga Volcanoes: Taxonomic implications of morphological and ecological differences Esteban E. Sarmiento, Esteban E. Sarmiento Department of Anatomy, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, and Department of Mammology, American Museum of Natural History, New York CitySearch for more papers by this authorThomas M. Butynski, Corresponding Author Thomas M. Butynski Zoo Atlanta/National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, KenyaZoo Atlanta, PO Box 24434, Nairobi, KenyaSearch for more papers by this authorJan Kalina, Jan Kalina Zoo Atlanta/National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, KenyaSearch for more papers by this author Esteban E. Sarmiento, Esteban E. Sarmiento Department of Anatomy, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, and Department of Mammology, American Museum of Natural History, New York CitySearch for more papers by this authorThomas M. Butynski, Corresponding Author Thomas M. Butynski Zoo Atlanta/National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, KenyaZoo Atlanta, PO Box 24434, Nairobi, KenyaSearch for more papers by this authorJan Kalina, Jan Kalina Zoo Atlanta/National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, KenyaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 1996 https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1098-2345(1996)40:1 3.0.CO;2-1Citations: 50AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Based on their geographic proximity to the Virunga Volcanoes (≈ 25 km), the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest gorillas have been referred to the subspecies Gorilla gorilla beringei. Differences in anatomy, habitat, ecology, and behavior, however, suggest Bwindi gorillas are distinct from those in the Virungas. Relative to Virunga gorillas, Bwindi gorillas live at lower elevations, in warmer temperatures, are much more arboreal, have longer day ranges and larger home ranges, and eat much more fruit and pith, and less bamboo and leaves. Morphological differences reflect the differences in ecology, habitat, and behavior. Bwindi gorillas measured have smaller bodies, relatively longer limbs, hands, and feet, shorter trunks, thumbs, big toes, and tooth row lengths, and narrower trunks and orbital breadths than Virunga gorillas. 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