Examination of the Taxonomy and Diversification of Leontopithecus using the Mitochondrial Control Region

Abstract

Leontopithecus comprises 4 taxa: black lion tamarins (L. chrysopygus), golden lion tamarins (L. rosalia), black-faced lion tamarins (L. caissara), and golden-headed lion tamarins (L. chrysomelas). Endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, they are endangered (Appendix I, CITES; IUCN Critically Endangered: Leontopithecus chrysopygus, L. caissara; IUCN Endangered: L. rosalia, L. chrysomelas). The 4 taxa are differentiated morphologically and geographically and occupy different habitat types. However, it is not clear if all of them are separate species, particularly Leontopithecus caissara, or how they are related to one another evolutionarily. Therefore, we investigated lion tamarin differentiation and radiation. We sequenced the mtDNA control region and performed phylogenetic analyses, population aggregation analyses, and Mantel tests for geographic/genetic correlation. Mitochondrial genetic data suggest 3 distinct lion tamarin clades (Leontopithecus chrysomelas; L. caissara; and L. chrysopygus/L. rosalia). Phylogenetic analysis also supports: 1) the basal lion tamarin is Leontopithecus chrysomelas, and not L. chrysopygus, 2) L. caissara is not subspecific to L. chrysopygus, and 3) Quaternary forest refugia may have shaped lion tamarin diversification via a pattern that does not follow the theory of metachromism. Even though mitochondrial genetic analyses do not unequivocally support the 4 lion tamarins as separate species, one should consider the 4 lion tamarins, with equal conservation priority based on the combination of morphological, genetic, and habitat differentiation. Each of them is an extremely valuable flagship species that focuses attention on the diminishing, highly endemic Atlantic Forest of Brazil.

The Mitochondrial Genome and Epigenome of the Golden Lion Tamarin from Fecal DNA using Nanopore Adaptive Sequencing

“…We find that this species is most closely related to the black lion tamarin based on the high level of sequence identity. This finding is consistent with prior taxonomic studies using genetics and morphology, which found the two species to be closely related (Perez-Sweeney et al 2008;Mundy and Kelly 2001;Rosenberger and Coimbra-Filho 2008). We confirm the pattern of diverging mutations falls mostly within the non-coding D-loop.…”

“…The sister taxa relationship between these species had been under debate until 2001 when photoreceptor intron sequences unambiguously established their relationship (Mundy and Kelly 2001). In, 2008 the first mitochondrial sequences, of the D-loop, confirmed their close relationship (Perez-Sweeney et al 2008). We extend this evidence by showing near perfect synteny throughout the coding regions.…”

“…Second, its higher mutation rate enables more accurate delineation of closely related species. The first mitochondrial sequences of L. rosalia were published in 2008 and 2011 and were limited to the sequences of cytochrome b and the hypervariable region of the displacement control region (Dloop) (Perez-Sweeney et al 2008;Matauschek et al 2011). A more complete version of the mitogenome became available in 2013, but it contained gaps and shared surprisingly limited homology with the closely related black lion tamarin (L. chrysopygus) (Finstermeier et al 2013).…”

Informative microsatellites for genetic population studies of black-faced lion tamarins (Leontopithecus caissara)

“…The black-faced lion tamarin ( Leontopithecus caissara ), whose specific status has recently received support from molecular data ( Perez-Sweeney et al , 2008 ), is a critically endangered Neotropical primate ( Kierulff et al , 2008 ). Its distribution range lies in lowland swampy forests of southeastern Brazil ( Lorini and Persson, 1994 ), with a population currently estimated at less than 500 individuals (A. Nascimento, pers comm).…”

Ultrasonographic aspects of the Leontopithecus gestation (Lesson, 1840—Callitrichidae, Primates)

“…The Leontopithecus are small neotropical primates belonging to the Callitrichidae family, infraorder Platyrrhini, and suborder Haplorhini. Currently, there are four known species of Lion Tamarin: Golden‐headed Lion Tamarin ( Leontopithecus chrysomelas ), Black Lion Tamarin Leontopithecus chrysopygus ), Golden Lion Tamarin ( Leontopithecus rosalia ), and a new species depicted, Superagui Lion Tamarin (Black‐faced Lion Tamarin), that would be a subspecies of the Leontopithecus chrysopygus , but of which other authors have concluded that is a valid species.…”