Genetic diversity and population history of a critically endangered primate, the northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus).

Social, ecological, and historical processes affect the genetic structure of primate populations, and therefore have key implications for the conservation of endangered species. The northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus) is a critically endangered New World monkey and a flagship species for the...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Paulo B Chaves, Clara S Alvarenga, Carla de B Possamai, Luiz G Dias, Jean P Boubli, Karen B Strier, Sérgio L Mendes, Valéria Fagundes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2011-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3108597?pdf=render
_version_ 1819288954940162048
author Paulo B Chaves
Clara S Alvarenga
Carla de B Possamai
Luiz G Dias
Jean P Boubli
Karen B Strier
Sérgio L Mendes
Valéria Fagundes
author_facet Paulo B Chaves
Clara S Alvarenga
Carla de B Possamai
Luiz G Dias
Jean P Boubli
Karen B Strier
Sérgio L Mendes
Valéria Fagundes
author_sort Paulo B Chaves
collection DOAJ
description Social, ecological, and historical processes affect the genetic structure of primate populations, and therefore have key implications for the conservation of endangered species. The northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus) is a critically endangered New World monkey and a flagship species for the conservation of the Atlantic Forest hotspot. Yet, like other neotropical primates, little is known about its population history and the genetic structure of remnant populations. We analyzed the mitochondrial DNA control region of 152 northern muriquis, or 17.6% of the 864 northern muriquis from 8 of the 12 known extant populations and found no evidence of phylogeographic partitions or past population shrinkage/expansion. Bayesian and classic analyses show that this finding may be attributed to the joint contribution of female-biased dispersal, demographic stability, and a relatively large historic population size. Past population stability is consistent with a central Atlantic Forest Pleistocene refuge. In addition, the best scenario supported by an Approximate Bayesian Computation analysis, significant fixation indices (Φ(ST) = 0.49, Φ(CT) = 0.24), and population-specific haplotypes, coupled with the extirpation of intermediate populations, are indicative of a recent geographic structuring of genetic diversity during the Holocene. Genetic diversity is higher in populations living in larger areas (>2,000 hectares), but it is remarkably low in the species overall (θ = 0.018). Three populations occurring in protected reserves and one fragmented population inhabiting private lands harbor 22 out of 23 haplotypes, most of which are population-exclusive, and therefore represent patchy repositories of the species' genetic diversity. We suggest that these populations be treated as discrete units for conservation management purposes.
first_indexed 2024-12-24T02:59:10Z
format Article
id doaj.art-f5a8f474074546968a1e4479f74f843e
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1932-6203
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-24T02:59:10Z
publishDate 2011-01-01
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
record_format Article
series PLoS ONE
spelling doaj.art-f5a8f474074546968a1e4479f74f843e2022-12-21T17:18:17ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032011-01-0166e2072210.1371/journal.pone.0020722Genetic diversity and population history of a critically endangered primate, the northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus).Paulo B ChavesClara S AlvarengaCarla de B PossamaiLuiz G DiasJean P BoubliKaren B StrierSérgio L MendesValéria FagundesSocial, ecological, and historical processes affect the genetic structure of primate populations, and therefore have key implications for the conservation of endangered species. The northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus) is a critically endangered New World monkey and a flagship species for the conservation of the Atlantic Forest hotspot. Yet, like other neotropical primates, little is known about its population history and the genetic structure of remnant populations. We analyzed the mitochondrial DNA control region of 152 northern muriquis, or 17.6% of the 864 northern muriquis from 8 of the 12 known extant populations and found no evidence of phylogeographic partitions or past population shrinkage/expansion. Bayesian and classic analyses show that this finding may be attributed to the joint contribution of female-biased dispersal, demographic stability, and a relatively large historic population size. Past population stability is consistent with a central Atlantic Forest Pleistocene refuge. In addition, the best scenario supported by an Approximate Bayesian Computation analysis, significant fixation indices (Φ(ST) = 0.49, Φ(CT) = 0.24), and population-specific haplotypes, coupled with the extirpation of intermediate populations, are indicative of a recent geographic structuring of genetic diversity during the Holocene. Genetic diversity is higher in populations living in larger areas (>2,000 hectares), but it is remarkably low in the species overall (θ = 0.018). Three populations occurring in protected reserves and one fragmented population inhabiting private lands harbor 22 out of 23 haplotypes, most of which are population-exclusive, and therefore represent patchy repositories of the species' genetic diversity. We suggest that these populations be treated as discrete units for conservation management purposes.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3108597?pdf=render
spellingShingle Paulo B Chaves
Clara S Alvarenga
Carla de B Possamai
Luiz G Dias
Jean P Boubli
Karen B Strier
Sérgio L Mendes
Valéria Fagundes
Genetic diversity and population history of a critically endangered primate, the northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus).
PLoS ONE
title Genetic diversity and population history of a critically endangered primate, the northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus).
title_full Genetic diversity and population history of a critically endangered primate, the northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus).
title_fullStr Genetic diversity and population history of a critically endangered primate, the northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus).
title_full_unstemmed Genetic diversity and population history of a critically endangered primate, the northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus).
title_short Genetic diversity and population history of a critically endangered primate, the northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus).
title_sort genetic diversity and population history of a critically endangered primate the northern muriqui brachyteles hypoxanthus
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3108597?pdf=render
work_keys_str_mv AT paulobchaves geneticdiversityandpopulationhistoryofacriticallyendangeredprimatethenorthernmuriquibrachyteleshypoxanthus
AT clarasalvarenga geneticdiversityandpopulationhistoryofacriticallyendangeredprimatethenorthernmuriquibrachyteleshypoxanthus
AT carladebpossamai geneticdiversityandpopulationhistoryofacriticallyendangeredprimatethenorthernmuriquibrachyteleshypoxanthus
AT luizgdias geneticdiversityandpopulationhistoryofacriticallyendangeredprimatethenorthernmuriquibrachyteleshypoxanthus
AT jeanpboubli geneticdiversityandpopulationhistoryofacriticallyendangeredprimatethenorthernmuriquibrachyteleshypoxanthus
AT karenbstrier geneticdiversityandpopulationhistoryofacriticallyendangeredprimatethenorthernmuriquibrachyteleshypoxanthus
AT sergiolmendes geneticdiversityandpopulationhistoryofacriticallyendangeredprimatethenorthernmuriquibrachyteleshypoxanthus
AT valeriafagundes geneticdiversityandpopulationhistoryofacriticallyendangeredprimatethenorthernmuriquibrachyteleshypoxanthus