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Publications

Listed below are papers that Alan Mootnick authored or co-authored.  The first section is our newsletter, the Gibbon's Voice, then Peer Reviewed Journal Publications, Editor Reviewed Book Publications, Proceedings, Popular Articles, Abstracts, Interviews, In Press and Reviewed Articles.  We are working on getting the entire text of each publication reproduced on this web site.  At this time, we are sorry to be unable to provide reprints of articles.  Your public or university library should have them or be able to order them. 

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the Gibbon's Voice, the newsletter of the Gibbon Conservation Center

Dec. 2009 (Vol. 11)  •  Sep. 2008 (Vol. 10)  •  Sep. 2007 (Vol. 9)  •  Sep. 2006 (Vol. 8)  •  Sep. 2005 (Vol. 7)  •  Oct. 2003 (Vol. 6)  •  Dec. 2001 (Vol. 5)  •  Dec. 2000 (Vol. 4)  •  Dec. 1999  (Vol. 3)  •  Dec. 1997 (Vol. 2)  •  Nov. 1996 (Vol. 1)

Peer Reviewed Journal Publications

Editor Reviewed Book Publications

  • Hirai, H; Hayano, A; Tanaka, H; Mootnick, AR; Wijayanto, H; Perwitasari-Farajallah, D. 2009. Genetic differentiation of agile gibbons between Sumatra and Kalimantan in Indonesia. In: The Gibbons. New perspectives on small ape socioecology and population biology. Series Developments in primatology: progress and prospects. S. Lappan and D. Whittaker (eds). Springer, New York. p 37-49.
  • Supriatna, J; Mootnick, A; and Andayani, N. 2010 Javan Gibbon (Hylobates moloch): Population and Conservation. In: Indonesian primates. Series Developments in primatology: progress and prospects. S. Gursky-Doyen, J. Supriatna (eds). Springer, New York. p 57-72.
  • Hirai, H; Hayano, A; Tanaka, H; Mootnick, AR; Wijayanto, H; Perwitasari-Farajallah, D. 2009. Genetic differentiation of agile gibbons between Sumatra and Kalimantan in Indonesia. In: The Gibbons. New perspectives on small ape socioecology and population biology. Series Developments in primatology: progress and prospects. S. Lappan and D. Whittaker (eds). Springer, New York. p 37-49.
  • Cunningham, C., and Mootnick, A. 2009. Gibbons. Current Biology. 19(14): R543-544.
  •  Mootnick, AR; Wang, XM; Moisson, P; Chan, BPL; Fellowes, JR; Nadler, T. 2007. Hainan gibbon (Nomascus hainanus) (Thomas, 1892) China (Island of Hainan). Primates in peril: The world’s 25 Most Endangered primates, 2006-2008. RA Mittermeier, J Ratsimbazafy, AB Rylands, L Williamson, JF Oates, D Mbora, JU Ganzhorn, E Rodriguez-Luna, E Palacios, EW Heymann, M Cecilia, M Kierulff, L Yongcheng, J Supriatna, C Roos, S Walker, JM Aguiar, (eds) Primate Conservation. 22:16-17. Press release announcing this book.
  • Mootnick, A. 2007. Gibbons. Pp 5-9. Guide to South Asian primates for teachers and students of all ages. S Walker, S Molur, (comp & eds). Zoo Outreach Organization, PSG South Asia and WILD, Coimbatore, India.
  • Mootnick, AR; Rylands, AB; Konstant, WR; 2006. Hainan black-crested gibbon (Nomascus nasutus hainanus) (Thomas, 1892) China (Island of Hainan). Primates in peril: The world's 25 most endangered primates, 2004-2006. RA Mittermeier, C Valladares-Padua, AB Rylands, AA Eudey, TM Butynski, JU Ganzhorn, R Kormos, JM Aguiar, S Walker, (eds)  Primate Conservation 20:13-14
  • Mootnick, A. 1984 Census of gibbons in North America. Pp. 61-73. The Lesser Apes: Evolutionary and behavioral biology. H Preuschoft, DJ Chivers, WY Brockelman and N Creel, (eds) Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press.

Proceedings

Popular Articles

  • Mootnick, A. 2005. Recent efforts made to save the western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock hoolock). Gibbon's Voice. 7(1) 5-6.
  • Mootnick, A; Dahle, P. 2003. Birth announcement (Hylobates moloch) and (Hylobates pileatus). Gibbon's Voice. 6(1) 3.
  • Mootnick, A. & Dahle, P. An Announcement of the Third Javan Gibbon (Hylobates moloch) Birth Occurring in the USA. AZA Communique. June 2002.
  • Mootnick, A; Dahle, P. 2001. An Announcement of the Third Javan Gibbon (Hylobates moloch) Birth Occurring in the USA with a Description of the Birth Process. Gibbon's Voice. 5(1) 5.
  • Mootnick, A; Dahle, P. 2001. Javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch) birth. Gibbon's Voice. 5(1)5.
  • Mootnick, A. 2001. Two significant births at ICGS. AZA Communique. October: 39.
  •  Mootnick, A. 2001. Consultations with Asian Zoos on Gibbon Captive Management.  Gibbon's Voice. 5(1) 7.
  • Mootnick, A.  2001. Pileated (Hylobates pileatus) and white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus l. leucogenys) breeding success at the International Center for Gibbon Studies.  Gibbon's Voice. 5(1) 5-6.
  • Mootnick, AR. 2000 Careers in sanctuaries, Careers in primatology, Choosing a career in primatology. Primate Info Net. http://www.primate.wisc.edu/pin/careers/mootnick.html
  •  Mootnick, A. 2000. Please welcome our new arrivals. Gibbon's Voice. 4(1) 4-5.
  •  Mootnick, A. 2000. Javan Gibbon Born at ICGS. AZA Communique. October: 36.
  •  Mootnick, A. 2000. Updates on Indonesian gibbons. Gibbon's Voice. 4(1) 5-6.
  • Mootnick, AR, Sheeran, LK. 1999. A description of the pileated gibbon Hylobates pileatus. Australasian Primatology. 13(3) 14-16.
  • Mootnick, AR; Sheeran, LK. 1999. The Javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch). Gibbon's Voice. 3(1) 1-2.
  • Mootnick, AR; Sheeran, LK. 1999. Javan gibbon birth announcement. Gibbon's Voice. 3(1) 5.
  • Mootnick, AR; Romaniuk, T; Sheeran, LK. 1999. Pileated gibbon birth announcement. Gibbon's Voice. 3(1) 5.
  • Mootnick, A. 1998. International Center for Gibbon Studies reports birth. AZA Communique. September: 26.
  • Mootnick, AR; Sheeran, LK. 1997. A description of the pileated gibbon (Hylobates pileatus). Gibbon's Voice. 2(1) 1-2.
  • Sheeran, LK; Mootnick, AR. 1997. The crested gibbon group., in Beacham's International Threatened, Endangered, and Extinct Species. W Beacham (ed). Washington, Beacham Publishing.
  • Mootnick, AR; Sheeran, LK. 1995, 1996. Hylobates (gibbons). CD ROM, in Beacham's International Threatened, Endangered, and Extinct Species, Washington, Beacham.
  •  Mootnick, A. 1996. A captive management note for the pileated gibbon. Gibbon's Voice. 1(1) 1, 4.
  • Mootnick, AR; Sheeran, LK. 1994. The future of the gibbon. Keeper, San Diego Chapter, The American Association of Zoo Keepers. 11:26-27.
  • Mootnick, A. 1990. Significant gibbon birth recorded. AAZPA Communiqué. October: 15.
  •  Mootnick, A. 1988. Pileated gibbon born at the Gibbon & Gallinaceous Bird Center. AAZPA newsletter. 29(11) 27.
  • Mootnick, A. 1982. Game bird hybridization. American Pheasant & Waterfowl Society Magazine. 7:5-9.

Abstracts

  • Mootnick, A. R. 2009. The Importance of Captive Gibbons (Hylobatidae) as Ambassadors for Education of the Public, Conservation, and Study. Am. J. Primatol. 70.
  • Tanaka, H; Wijayanto, H; Mootnick, A; Perwitasari-Farajallah, D; Hayano, A; Hirai, H; Sajuthi, D. 2006. Subspecies relationships and their phylogenetic positions in agile gibbons (Hylobates agilis). Reichorui Kenkyu/Primate Research 22(Suppl) S9-S10.
  •  Hayano, A; Tanaka, H; Wijayanto, H; Perwitasari-Farajallah, D; Mootnick, AR; Hirai, H. 2004. Genetic composition of agile gibbons and Muller's gibbons inferred from microsatellite analysis. Reichorui Kenkyu/Primate Research 20(Suppl) 43.
  • Hirai, H; Wijayanto, H; Tanaka, H; Mootnick, AR; Iskandriati, D; Perwitasari-Farajallah, D; Sajuthi, D. A chromosome landmark separating Sumatran and Bornean agile gibbons. The XXth Congress of the International Primatological Society, Torino, Italy, 197, August 22-28, 2004, Folio Primatologica 75(S1) 112-113.
  • Hirai, H; Wijayanto, H; Tanaka, H; Mootnick, AR; Hayano, A; Perwitasari-Farajallah, D; Iskandriati, D; Sajuthi, D. A remarkable chromosome marker separating Sumatran and Bornean agile gibbons. 2004. Genes & Genetic Systems. 79(6) 431.
  • Mootnick, AR; Baker, E; Merker, B. 2004. Hostile Anogenital Displays in Captive Hylobatidae. The XXth Congress of the International Primatological Society, Torino, Italy, 533, August 22-28, 2004, Folia Primatologica, 75 (S1) 306.
  • Hirai, H; Mootnick, AR; Takenaka, O; Suryobroto, B; Mouri, T; Kamanaka, Y; Katoh, A; Kimura, N; Maeda, N. 2002. Whole-arm translocation specific in the agile gibbon. Reichorui Kenkyu/Primate Research. 18(3) 364.
  • Mootnick, AR. The importance of stress reduction when housing gibbons in a captive setting. The XIXth Congress of the International Primatological Society, Beijing, China. August 4-9, 2002. 128-129.
  • Mootnick, AR. Physical and behavioral precautions that need to be considered before releasing gibbons into their native habitat. The XIXth Congress of the International Primatological Society. Beijing  China, August 4-9, 2002. 99-100.
  • Mootnick, A. Captive breeding strategies that have been utilized for gibbons at the International center for Gibbon studies. IXth Annual SEAZA Conference, January 28,  2001.
  • Mootnick, A. Health and sanitation standards used at the International Center for Gibbon Studies which could be applied at rescue centers and zoos. The VIIIth Annual Conference of SEAZA, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 18, 1-3. November 1999.
  • Mootnick, A; Sheeran, LK. Gibbon taxonomy to be utilized for rescue centers. Great Apes of the World Conference, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, 036, July 3-6, 1998.
  • Mootnick, AR; Nadler, RD. Sexual behavior of maternally separated captive gibbons (Hylobates). XXth Conference of the American Society of Primatologists. San Diego, California, American Journal of Primatology, 42:120, June 30, 1997.
  • Mootnick, A. Gibbon taxonomy to be utilized by breeding facilities. The VIIth Annual SEAZA Conference, Singapore, 26, October 27-30 1997.
  • Mootnick, A; Ruvolo, M; Zehr, S; vanTuinen, P. Phenotypic and genetic evidence to support specific distinction of Hylobates a. agilis (mountain agile gibbon) from Hylobates agilis unko (lowland agile gibbon). XVIth Congress of the International Primatological Society, and the XIXth Conference of the American Society of Primatologists, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 481, August 11-16, 1996.
  • Zehr, S; Ruvolo, M; Heider, J; Mootnick, A. Gibbon phylogeny inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences., in American Association of Physical Anthropology, 1996 (Suppl 22) 251.
  • Mootnick, AR. Captive breeding of endangered gibbons. Southern California Academy of Sciences, California State University, Fullerton, 97, 1995.
  • Mootnick, AR; Baker, E; Sheeran, L. Incest in captive Hylobates (gibbons)., in The 31st annual meeting of the Animal Behavior Society. University of Washington, 157, 1994.
  •  Mootnick, A; Van Benscoten, M; Haimoff, E. Dietary specializations of gibbons and a homeopathic approach towards maintaining captive specimens. Xth Conference of the American Society of Primatologists. Madison, Wisconsin, June 13-16, 1987. American Journal of Primatology, 12:361, 1987.
  • Mootnick, AR; Haimoff, EH. Species and sub-species identification of gibbons for use by zoological parks and breeding facilities. VIIIth Conference, American Society of Primatologists, Austin, Texas. American Journal of Primatology, 10:98, 1986.
  • Mootnick, AR; Maxwell, S. Sub-specific identification of concolor gibbons. VIth Conference, American Society of Primatologists, Arcata, California, June 29-July 3, 1984. American Journal of Primatology 6:393, 1984.

Interviews

In Press

none at this time

Reviewed Articles

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A Captive Management Note for the Pileated Gibbon
by Alan R. Mootnick 1996

(when we were known by our former name, International Center for Gibbon Studies)

Hylobates pileatus     Currently there are only 17 pileated gibbons (Hylobates pileatus) housed at five institutions in North America.  Unfortunately, there are only two breeding pairs and no other females who are capable of forming future pairs.  Due to the low numbers of this endangered species, it is very important to understand why they may not take proper care of their offspring in captivity.  Five pileated gibbons are housed at the International Center for Gibbon Studies (ICGS).  

     It has been observed that male gibbons are sometimes aggressive toward their newly born infants.  An incident occurred at ICGS involving a male who was born at the Phoenix Zoo, which may shed some light on this behavior.  While at the Phoenix Zoo, this male pileated gibbonHylobates pileatus became dominant over his 27 year old father and was observed copulating with his mother; during that time, he was not exposed to siblings.  We received this male when he was seven years old.  Due to the rarity of this species, there were only three reproductively viable female pileated gibbons in North America, one of which was housed at our center.  She was a 23 year old female who had partially crippled hands and feet, was arthritic, and turned out to be subordinate to the newly introduced male.  Within a year of their introduction, this female gave birth.  Shortly thereafter, the male frequently tried removing the male infant from her.  When the infant was eight days old, the male was observed holding the infant and biting his scalp; then he dropped the infant from a height of 3 meters.  The male was removed for 24 months, and was then reintroduced to the mother and their juvenile offspring.  During the first 2 days after his reintroduction, the juvenile male spent the majority of the time in the adjoining enclosure, and we allowed him to spend only 5 minutes each day in the primary enclosure with his parents.  The juvenile was removed after the second day since his father was more interested in chasing him than in copulating with his former mate.  After the eleventh day, the breeding male was removed and the juvenile male was housed back with his mother.  Hylobates pileatus

     Several years later, when the breeding male was 12 years old, we paired him  with a 4.5 year old mother-reared female.  At that time, the female repeatedly solicited to the male, but he did not respond until she was sexually mature. Eventually the pair became more interested in aggressive displays towards other gibbons housed at ICGS, and copulation ceased. To prevent visual access between this pair of pileated gibbons and the agile gibbons with whom they were preoccupied, trees were left untrimmed and tarps were erected between the enclosures. On September 1, 1995, when the breeding male was 15 years of age, this pair of pileated gibbons produced an offspring. Hylobates pileatus

     In the current pair, the female is dominant and rebuffs the male's attempts to touch the infant. The male shows some interest toward his male infant but is not as aggressive as in the past. Perhaps his prior behavior toward his infant was due to the lack of interaction with a sibling during his youth.  I believe that the decrease in his aggressiveness is a result of either his being older, or the fact that the female is more protective and is dominant over the breeding male.  It appears that his first female mate was too old and handicapped to dominate him.