Molecular studies of Callithrix pygmaea (Primates, Platyrrhini) based on transferrin intronic and ND1 regions: implications for taxonomy and conservation

Abstract

Traditional classifications of Platyrrhini monkeys, based mainly on morphological features, are being contested by recent molecular data. The subfamily Callitrichinae (Platyrrhini, Primates) consists of a diverse group of species, many of them considered endangered. Our analysis of two DNA regions, a mtDNA gene (ND1) and a nuclear gene (intronic regions of the transferrin gene), suggests that Callithrix pygmaea may have sufficient variability to justify the existence of subspecies or even separate species. Phylogenetic dendrograms based on the ND1 region show that this species is more closely related to Amazonian than to Atlantic forest marmosets. These results reopen the discussion about diversity and conservation programs based exclusively on traditional classifications.

Mammalian Diversity and Matses Ethnomammalogy in Amazonian Peru Part 1: Primates

“…Ventral fur color does not, however, consistently distinguish specimens from opposite banks of the Amazon, and we agree with Hershkovitz (1977) that subspecific nomenclature does not usefully describe any currently recognized pattern of geographic variation among museum specimens of pygmy marmosets. Unfortunately, molecular data suggesting a high degree of genetic divergence within C. pygmaea were all obtained from captive individuals of unknown geographic origin (Tagliaro et al, 2000). External and craniodental measurements of specimens we examined from the Yavarí-Ucayali interfluve are provided in They climb on trees and vines in any forest type.…”

Molecular phylogeny of the genus Saguinus (Platyrrhini, Primates) based on the ND1 mitochondrial gene and implications for conservation

“…Several fragments of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have recently been sequenced from members of the Callitrichinae and have been shown to be useful for phylogenetic analysis between genera and at the subgeneric level (Jacobs et al, 1995;Tagliaro et al, 1997;Pastorini et al, 1998;Jacobs-Cropp et al, 1999;Tagliaro et al, 2000;Van Roosmalen et al, 2000). Phylogenetic trees based on cytochrome b and D-loop sequence data obtained by Jacobs et al (1995) using eight Saguinus species (including six subspecies of S. fuscicollis) and Jacobs-Cropp et al (1999) using 12 Saguinus species (some of the species subdivided, totalizing 23 subspecies) suggest that Saguinus should be divided into two groups.…”

Filogenia da tribo Callitrichini Thomas, 1903 (Primates, Platyrrhini, Callitrichinae), com base em caracteres morfológicos

“…Esta, e a maioria das filogenias moleculares de Platyrrhini (Schneider et al 1993Harada et al 1995), resultou em Callimico como grupo-irmão de Callitrichini. Tagliaro et al (2000), com base em sequências do gene mitocondrial ND1, obtiveram um clado, com baixo suporte, formado por Leontopithecus e Saguinus como grupo-irmão de Callitrichini. Schneider et al (1993) e Harada et al (1995) com base no gene da ε-globina também obtiveram o mesmo resultado, com suporte Bootstrap 77% e 75,8%, respectivamente.…”

“…A maioria das filogenias moleculares que incluíram como táxons terminais tanto Callithrix amazônicos como do leste brasileiro, obtiveram consistentemente um Callithrix parafilético, com os Callithrix amazônicos mais proximamente relacionados à Cebuella pygmaea do que aos Callithrix do leste brasileiro (Barroso et al 1997;Tagliaro et al 1997Tagliaro et al , 2000Canavez et al 1999, Moreira e Seuánez 1999, mas veja Schneider e Rosenberger 1996, Sena et al 2002e Ribeiro et al 2005). …”

“…Gray (1866) (Natori 1986;Tagliaro et al 1997Tagliaro et al , 2000Moreira 2002). Em filogenias moleculares de genes mitocondriais, as espécies C. penicillata e C. kuhlii são parafiléticas, formando parte de um clado monofilético que contém também C. geoffroyi e C. jacchus, que é irmão a C. aurita (C. flaviceps não é incluído nessas filogenias) (Sena et al 2002, Schneider et al 2012.…”