Conservation Genetics of the Philippine Tarsier: Cryptic Genetic Variation Restructures Conservation Priorities for an Island Archipelago Primate

Abstract

Establishment of conservation priorities for primates is a particular concern in the island archipelagos of Southeast Asia, where rates of habitat destruction are among the highest in the world. Conservation programs require knowledge of taxonomic diversity to ensure success. The Philippine tarsier is a flagship species that promotes environmental awareness and a thriving ecotourism economy in the Philippines. However, assessment of its conservation status has been impeded by taxonomic uncertainty, a paucity of field studies, and a lack of vouchered specimens and genetic samples available for study in biodiversity repositories. Consequently, conservation priorities are unclear. In this study we use mitochondrial and nuclear DNA to empirically infer geographic partitioning of genetic variation and to identify evolutionarily distinct lineages for conservation action. The distribution of Philippine tarsier genetic diversity is neither congruent with expectations based on biogeographical patterns documented in other Philippine vertebrates, nor does it agree with the most recent Philippine tarsier taxonomic arrangement. We identify three principal evolutionary lineages that do not correspond to the currently recognized subspecies, highlight the discovery of a novel cryptic and range-restricted subcenter of genetic variation in an unanticipated part of the archipelago, and identify additional geographically structured genetic variation that should be the focus of future studies and conservation action. Conservation of this flagship species necessitates establishment of protected areas and targeted conservation programs within the range of each genetically distinct variant of the Philippine tarsier.

The amphibians and reptiles of Mindanao Island, southern Philippines, II: the herpetofauna of northeast Mindanao and adjacent islands

“…Recent studies aimed at resolving species complexes have identified cryptic genetic diversity and important evolutionary units thereby clarifying these species’ taxonomy and conservation status (e.g., Welton et al 2009; 2010; Sanguila et al 2011; Linkem and Brown 2013). Such studies have confirmed the importance of using of multiple sources of data for a sound understanding of species complexes (Brown and Guttman 2002; Grismer et al 2013; Welton et al 2013a, 2013b; Brown et al 2014; Siler et al 2014a–d). …”

Genetic diversity in humans and non-human primates and its evolutionary consequences

“…The group includes many endangered species, and surveying genetic diversity in this group is crucial to their conservation. However, studies conducted to date have largely been restricted to mitochondrial DNA and microsatellites (e.g., Blair et al, 2014;Brown et al, 2014). Transcriptome data revealed relatively high genetic diversity in this group compared to Simian primates, with the exception of aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis; π ≈ 7.2 × 10 −4 ), whose genetic diversity was found to be similar to or lower than non-African humans (Perry et al, 2012).…”

Impending extinction crisis of the world’s primates: Why primates matter

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