Primate conservation in the Arc of Deforestation: a case study of Vieira's titi monkey Plecturocebus vieirai

Abstract

Fifty years of deforestation in the Arc of Deforestation have put at risk species survival, ecosystem services and the stability of biogeochemical cycles in Amazonia, with global repercussions. In response, we need to understand the diversity, distribution and abundance of flagship species groups, such as primates, which can serve as umbrella species for broad biodiversity conservation strategies and help mitigate climate change. Here we identify the range, suitable habitat areas and population size of Vieira's titi monkey Plecturocebus vieirai and use it as an emblematic example to discuss biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation in one of the largest deforestation frontiers. Our findings show that deforestation for agriculture and cattle-ranching expansion is the major threat to P. vieirai and is responsible for present (56%) and projected (14%) reductions in habitat area and population size. We also found that human-driven climate change affects the P. vieirai niche negatively, triggering habitat degradation and further population decline even inside protected areas. Primate watching can be a profitable alternative to forest exploitation on private, public or Indigenous lands in the Arc of Deforestation and is a way to shift the traditional, predatory extraction of natural resources from Amazonia towards sustainable land use based on biodiversity conservation at local, regional and global scales, local people's welfare and climate change mitigation. New models of land use and income generation are required to protect the unique natural and human heritages of the Arc of Deforestation and the life-supporting ecosystem services and products provided by Amazonia.

Retrospective study of the mortality of the Vieira's titi monkey (Plecturocebus vieirai) at the Sorocaba Zoo, Brazil

“…Its main threat is the loss of habitat due to agricultural monocultures and pastures for livestock. Studies reveal that the habitat of this species was reduced by 56% and, according to models, by 2044, only 14% will be left 6,7 . This species is extremely rare ex‐situ.…”

“…Studies reveal that the habitat of this species was reduced by 56% and, according to models, by 2044, only 14% will be left. 6,7 This species is extremely rare ex-situ. In the whole worlds, there are only two Brazilian institutions housing this species: the Sorocaba Zoo (Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil) and…”

Advancing conservation of threatened primates

“…We cannot develop conservation plans for threatened primates without accurate population assessments (Rylands et al, 2020). These novel studies, together with more traditional research—such as for the Endangered ring-tailed lemur Lemur catta in Madagascar (Randrianjaka et al, 2024), the Endangered golden monkey Cercopithecus mitis kandti in Rwanda (Tuyisingize et al, 2023), the Critically Endangered Vieira's titi monkey Plecturocebus vieirai in Brazil (Costa-Araújo et al, 2022), and the Critically Endangered Delacour's langur Trachypithecus delacouri in Viet Nam (Nguyen et al, 2022)—all deal with surveys and the provision of essential baseline data.…”

Writing for conservation—a skill for life

“…For the first time, this issue of Oryx brings together the written work of CLP and Writing for Conservation alumni. The 10 articles are illustrative of the broad range of subjects that have attracted the critical attention of workshop participants, from species (titi monkeys: Costa-Araújo et al, 2022; Silva et al, 2022; sperm whales: Avila et al, 2022; frogs: Barata et al, 2022; tigers: Yadav et al 2022), to methods (arboreal camera trapping: Kaizer et al, 2022; using natural history collections to examine species richness: Aninta et al, 2022), the influence of rural–urban mobility on consumption of wild meat (Torres et al, 2022) and the response of mammals to tourism (Barcelos et al, 2022).…”