Genetic Diversity of Red-Bellied Titis (Callicebus moloch) from Eastern Amazonia Based on Microsatellite Markers

Abstract

The titi monkeys (Callicebus spp.) are a large, diverse genus of platyrrhines, widely distributed in tropical South America. The genetic variability of these monkeys is still relatively poorly known, especially at the population level. In the present study, four heterologous microsatellite markers were used to investigate genetic diversity in 23 individuals from a wild population of red-bellied titis (Callicebus moloch) in eastern Amazonia. An unexpectedly low level of diversity was found. The average number of alleles was 8.75 (range: 5-15), and the average heterozygosity was 0.33 (range: 0.09-0.65). This preliminary information suggests a reduction of the potential for long-term survival of the population and indicates the putative necessity of implementation of a species conservation program.

Population genetics of the California National Primate Research Center’s (CNPRC) captive Callicebus cupreus colony

“…As such, the panel meets the standards for parentage testing for the genetic management of the titi monkey colony at the CNPRC. Mean heterozygosity estimates (OH and EH) for all but two markers, 311 and 1115, were at least comparable to those in other NWMs in which they were identified (Di Fiore and Fleischer 2004; Goncalves et al 2004; Muniz and Vigilant 2008;Menescal et al 2009; Babb et al 2011), reflecting the absence of significant ascertainment bias. The mean estimates of OH and EH of the captive titi monkey population (0.74 and 0.70, respectively) were greater than those estimated for a sample set of 23 animals from a wild population of red-bellied titis ( Callicebusmoloch ) in eastern Amazonia (0.33 and 0.63, respectively) (Menescal et al 2009).…”

“…Mean heterozygosity estimates (OH and EH) for all but two markers, 311 and 1115, were at least comparable to those in other NWMs in which they were identified (Di Fiore and Fleischer 2004; Goncalves et al 2004; Muniz and Vigilant 2008;Menescal et al 2009; Babb et al 2011), reflecting the absence of significant ascertainment bias. The mean estimates of OH and EH of the captive titi monkey population (0.74 and 0.70, respectively) were greater than those estimated for a sample set of 23 animals from a wild population of red-bellied titis ( Callicebusmoloch ) in eastern Amazonia (0.33 and 0.63, respectively) (Menescal et al 2009). While the low level of genetic variability in the wild population could have been due to sampling error from the use of only four STR loci or the small size of the wild population, it is also plausible that breeding colony management has resulted in producing more heterozygotes by minimizing mating between relatives or the avoidance of inbreeding by the monkeys themselves that would be consistent with their negative F IS estimate.…”

“…These samples were obtained from animals that were housed at the CNPRC before (N = 49) and after (N = 39) the adenovirus outbreak in the colony. The STR loci were previously amplified in closely related species of NWMs including Alouattabelzebul (Goncalves et al 2004; Menescal et al 2009), Lagothrixlagotricha (Di Fiore and Fleischer 2004), Cebuscapucinus (Muniz and Vigilant 2008) and Aotusazarai (Babb et al 2011), minimizing the effect of ascertainment bias. Screening and subsequent genotype analysis was performed at the Molecular Anthropology Laboratory, in the Department of Anthropology, at the University of California at Davis.…”

“…Despite this karyological diversity, the genetic variability at the population level in titi monkeys is still poorly described relative to that of other species of NWMs. In addition to the importance of understanding evolutionary processes, knowledge of the genetic variability of any species is important for the analysis of population dynamics, including long-term viability in the context of factors such as inbreeding and genetic drift (Menescal et al 2009). …”

Genetic structure of red-handed howler monkey populations in the fragmented landscape of Eastern Brazilian Amazonia

“…Once again, these values are also relatively high when compared with those for other microsatellite studies in platyrrhines: 0.49 (range: 0.34-0.65) in L. rosalia (Grativol et al , 2001), 0.26 (0.11-0.39) in M. argentatus (Gonçalves et al , 2009), 0.33 (0.09-0.65) in C. moloch (Menescal et al , 2009) and 0.47 (0-0.86) in Alouatta palliata (Milton et al , 2009). …”