GORILLAS OF BWINDI-IMPENETRABLE FOREST AND THE VIRUNGA VOLCANOS - TAXONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF MORPHOLOGICAL AND ECOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES

Based on their geographic proximity to the Virunga Volcanoes (similar to 25 km), the Bwindi-Impenetrable Forest gorillas have been referred to the subspecies Gorilla gorilla beringei. Differences in anatomy, ha bitat, ecology, and behavior, however, suggest Bwindi gorillas are dis tinct from those in the Virungas. Relative to Virunga gorillas, Bwindi gorillas live at lower elevations, in warmer temperatures, are much m ore arboreal, have longer day ranges and larger home ranges, and eat m uch more fruit and pith, and less bamboo and leaves. Morphological dif ferences reflect the differences in ecology, habitat, and behavior. Bw indi gorillas measured have smaller bodies, relatively longer limbs, h ands, and feet, shorter trunks, thumbs, big toes, and tooth row length s, and narrower trunks and orbital breadths than Virunga gorillas. The se differences indicate Bwindi gorillas do not belong to G.g. beringei and should not be referred to as ''mountain gorillas.'' How unique th e distinguishing features of Bwindi gorillas are, and whether or not t hey should be assigned to a new taxon, depends on the expression of th ese features in eastern lowland gorillas (G.g. graueri). (C) 1996 Wile y-Liss, Inc.