Confusion about verb forms (singular/plural)

Kindly look over the sentences below and explain which one is correct and why:

• The gorilla as well as the orangutan is a primate.

• The gorilla as well as the orangutan are primates.

Can I be able to make these sorts of sentences with INCLUDING, COUPLED WITH, and ACCOMPANIED BY?

If yes, please provide some examples having two nouns (subjects) linked by these prepositional phrases!