Population genetic patterns among social groups of the endangered Central American spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) in a human‐dominated landscape

Abstract

Spider monkeys (Genus: Ateles) are a widespread Neotropical primate with a highly plastic socioecological strategy. However, the Central American species, Ateles geoffroyi, was recently re-listed as endangered due to the accelerated loss of forest across the subcontinent. There is inconsistent evidence that spider monkey populations could persist when actively protected, but their long-term viability in unprotected, human-dominated landscapes is not known. We analyzed noninvasive genetic samples from 185 individuals in 14 putative social groups on the Rivas Isthmus in southwestern Nicaragua. We found evidence of weak but significant genetic structure in the mitochondrial control region and in eight nuclear microsatellite loci plus negative spatial autocorrelation in Fst and kinship. The overall pattern suggests strong localized mating and at least historical female-biased dispersal, as is expected for this species. Heterozygosity was significantly lower than expected under random mating and lower than that found in other spider monkey populations, possibly reflecting a recent decline in genetic diversity and a threat from inbreeding. We conclude that despite a long history of human disturbance on this landscape, spider monkeys were until recently successful at maintaining gene flow. We consider the recent decline to be further indication of accelerated anthropogenic disturbance, but also of an opportunity to conserve native biodiversity. Spider monkeys are one of many wildlife species in Central America that is threatened by land cover change, and an apt example of how landscape-scale conservation planning could be used to ensure long-term persistence.

Major histocompatibility complex alleles associated with parasite susceptibility in wild giant pandas

“…MHC loci had significantly lower than expected heterozygosity in wild pandas for many studied populations. Multiple explanations for heterozygote deficiency have been proposed, among which the three most common explanations are the presence of null alleles, discontinuities in gene flow, or inbreeding and population decline (Allendorf and Luikart, 2007;Hagell et al, 2013). In our study, heterozygote deficiency was observed at most localities and all studied MHC loci instead of population or locus specific, which suggests that discontinuities in gene flow among isolated populations may explain the loss of heterozygotes in wild pandas.…”

Low genetic diversity and strong population structure shaped by anthropogenic habitat fragmentation in a critically endangered primate, Trachypithecus leucocephalus

“…This approach is particularly favourable for the study of migration patterns in endangered primates living in challenging habitats. For instance, genetic analyses have shown the impacts of habitat fragmentation on dispersal behaviour and population genetic structure in the black-and-white howler (Alouatta caraya; Oklander et al, 2010) and black-handed spider monkey (Adeles geoffroyi; Hagell et al, 2013). The recent development of landscape genetic statistical tools allowed further assessment of the influence of environmental features on genetic patterns in endangered primates (Quéméré et al, 2010;.…”

Major histocompatibility complex classII DABalleles associated with intestinal parasite load in the vulnerable Chinese egret (Egretta eulophotes)

“…One of the most common explanations for heterozygote deficit is the presence of null alleles (Hagell et al. ). However, this explanation is unlikely for the Chinese egret because all loci were specially amplified utilizing the highly conservative intron sequences flanking exon 2 (Canal et al.…”

“…One of the most common explanations for heterozygote deficit is the presence of null alleles (Hagell et al 2013). However, this explanation is unlikely for the Chinese egret because all loci were specially amplified utilizing the highly conservative intron sequences flanking exon 2 (Canal et al 2010;Hagell et al 2013;Wang et al 2013;Lei et al 2015;Zhang et al 2015). Alternatively, these deficits might be explained by inbreeding and some forms of nonrandom mating in this Chinese egret population.…”