Sam Shanee

Complex ecological and evolutionary patterns shaped the rich biodiversity of the Neotropics. Understanding how diversity emerges and is maintained is key to anticipating potential biotic responses to current anthropogenic changes. Howler monkeys ( Alouatta ) are one of the most successful radiations inhabiting this region. However, 11 of the 16 taxa currently recognised are classified as threatened by the IUCN Red List, and the genus faces increasing threats from deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and hunting. Here, we present a genomic-wide analysis covering 11 of the 13 recognised Alouatta species. Our results indicate that most of this genus’ diversity in Amazonia originated in the last million years, driven by major biogeographic and ecological factors, such as geographical barriers (e.g., Amazonian rivers, and the Andes), as well as by ecological gradients, including savanna-forest mosaics and ecotonal zones. Historical biogeographic reconstructions support a trans-Andean origin for Alouatta . Based on integrative taxonomy, including genomic and morphological evidence from numerous specimens, we formally identify groups and provide descriptions for two new species. Our findings underscore the power of genome-wide data to uncover hidden diversity and to inform conservation strategies, particularly in rapidly transforming tropical ecosystems where undescribed species may already be at risk.

Species inhabiting high-elevation environments face energetic and physiological challenges, creating opportunities for adaptive divergence from lowland tax

Nearly 70% of all primate species with available data are threatened with extinction. Hunting (i.e., wild animals either killed or live‐captured) is a major contributor to primate population decline, impacting ~70% of all species. Using a large dataset of species' hunting status and body mass, we evaluated the spatial and phylogenetic patterns of hunting and threat status. We modeled both hunting and extinction risk as predicted by body mass and evolutionary distinctiveness (ED). We found that the subset of hunted primates is not random taxonomically or across biogeographic regions, and that the likelihood of a species being hunted increases with body mass, particularly in the American Tropics. Globally, extinction risk increased with body mass and ED. Within biogeographic regions, body mass was also related to extinction risk, and in the American Tropics evolutionarily distinct species had higher likelihoods of being threatened with extinction. In the American Tropics, 54% of species were reported to be threatened by hunting, whereas this was 70% for Africa and 89% for Asia, indicating geographic disparity in hunting patterns that could bias our results. We encourage researchers to consider the intricate relationships among species' body mass, life history traits, and hunting in conservation planning, and recommend incorporating information on local cultural hunting patterns and purposes in developing place‐based conservation initiatives.

The study of animal activity budgets provides information regarding species’ behavioural repertoire and how this can change over various time scales and due to external factors, both natural and anthropogenic. External environmental factors affecting animal behaviour vary on temporal and spatial scales, and include fluctuations in daily weather patterns, annual and long-term climatic variability, and the spatial and temporal distribution of resources, as well as inter- and intra-specific interactions. We present the results from the first long-term, 10 years, study of activity budgets of the Critically Endangered yellow tailed woolly monkey (Lagothrix flavicauda), a species endemic to high elevation forests in northern and central Peru. Our study took place at the El Toro field station which lies on the eastern slopes of the Andes in the Comunidad Campesina de Yambrasbamba in Amazonas Region, Peru. We collected behavioural data using instantaneous sampling on focal individuals. We analysed a total of 18,440 instantaneous samples, covering 3,073 h of survey effort, across 65 months between October 2009 and November 2018. Overall activity budgets for L. flavicauda were 30.3% ‘Travel’, 29.3% ‘Rest’, 27.7% ‘Feed’, 9.6% ‘Forage’, 1.5% ‘Social’ and 1.7% ‘Other’ behaviours. Our results are similar to the previously published activity budget for L. flavicauda at the site, and comparisons with other woolly monkeys show similar tendencies. There were significant differences in behaviours between age/sex classes with adult males resting more, juveniles the most social, and females foraging most. There was a trend of more foraging and resting during the dry season. We found lower incidences of resting and increased social behaviours correlated with higher minimum temperatures, and reduced social behaviour with increased precipitation. Better understanding of primate behavioural ecology and adaptability to temporal changes in environmental conditions and resource availability can help improve conservation strategies.

Urban expansion is a global driver of wildlife decline, with cities encroaching into forested areas, leading among other things to habitat loss and fragmentation. This can result in remnant forest patches becoming isolated within anthropogenic mosaics, trapping wildlife unable to move beyond the urban areas. The city of Moyobamba, capital of Peru’s San Martin region, population has increased rapidly since 1970 and is currently estimated at ~ 90,000 people. Moyobamba’s urban forest patches are home to the endemic and Critically Endangered San Martin titi monkey (Plecturocebus oenanthe). We conducted an 18-month survey of primates in 23 urban forest patches to determine the presence of P. oenanthe, evaluate the patch-specific variables influencing its presence, and estimate its population size and density in the remaining green areas of Moyobamba city. Plecturocebus oenanthe was present in 17 patches and was never detected outside of patches. Using triangulation we estimate 26 groups of P. oenanthe in Moyobamba, with an average occupied-patch density of 26.9/km². The number of groups per patch was positively correlated with patch area (p = 0.023) and distance between patches (p = 0.0004), whereas presence and density were not correlated with any other landscape metrics, patch size, or habitat structure. Our results demonstrate that urban forests can support important populations of primates, particularly endemic and threatened species. Therefore, remnant forest patches and green corridors should be prioritized in urban planning strategies to ensure long-term wildlife persistence in rapidly developing landscapes.

Background: Most populations of spider monkeys ( Ateles ) and muriquis ( Brachyteles ), two Neotropical primate genera, are under severe anthropogenic threats. Yet, taxon-wide population-level studies leveraging their degree of endangerment linked to their genetic diversity patterns and demographic history are lacking. To properly address this, there is a need to expand from morphological and genetic marker-based studies. Results: We generated high-coverage genome sequencing for 58 individuals sampled across 8 Atelidae species, in the first population-wide study of all extant spider monkey species, in the wild and captivity, alongside northern muriquis ( Brachyteles hypoxanthus ). Additionally, we present a high-contiguity reference genome for Ateles hybridus . Here, we observe the overall levels of genetic diversity and genetic load of the analyzed populations do not align to their IUCN endangerment category. Moreover, we show that in the wild, genetic load is overall higher compared to the captive populations analyzed. Then, we depict two main trans and cis-Andean sister clades in Ateles , and further structure and dynamics outlined by the Madeira River in the latter clade. Lastly, we find that genes in highly divergent regions between Ateles and B. hypoxanthus are involved in central nervous system development and photorreception. Conclusions: Our study shows i) the lack of concordance between the genetic diversity levels and extinction risk of these populations, suggestive of recent and strong external drivers; ii) increased genetic load in the wild in contrast to effective captive management, indicating mostly past demographic events; iii) structure and dynamics in spider monkeys that agrees with common biogeographical patterns and iv) genetic divergence between Ateles and Brachyteles potentially linked to distinct environmental light levels.

La fragmentación del hábitat, asociada con la pérdida de biodiversidad y la disminución de poblaciones de especies silvestres, impacta negativamente los recursos ecológicos esenciales para los primates, como el alimento y reproducción. La fragmentación y los cambios en la composición del paisaje afectan la conectividad estructural del entorno y representan una amenaza significativa para el mono araña de cabeza negra (Ateles fusciceps rufiventris), uno de los primates más amenazados por su sensibilidad a la deforestación y la presión por cacería. Su estado de conservación no está actualizado y las respuestas a las perturbaciones en el paisaje aún son desconocidas. Este estudio busca evaluar cómo la fragmentación y composición del paisaje influyen sobre la presencia de A. f. rufiventris en Colombia. En este contexto, se realizó un análisis en 23 localidades con hábitat potencial para A. f. rufiventris en Colombia, para evaluar cómo diferentes características de composición del paisaje, como el tipo y cantidad de hábitat, así como la conectividad entre fragmentos, influyen en su presencia y comportamiento. Para ello, se recopilaron datos sobre la presencia de la subespecie y se caracterizó la composición del paisaje mediante análisis de métricas de fragmentación. La presencia de A. f. rufiventris se confirmó en el 52% (n=12) de las localidades evaluadas. Los resultados revelaron que las zonas con mayor área de bosques maduros y menor perturbación humana tienen una mayor probabilidad de presencia de A. f. rufiventris. Además, la proximidad a los asentamientos humanos afecta la presencia de A. f. rufiventris de manera negativa. Aunque la fragmentación del hábitat no mostró una relación significativa con la presencia de A. f. rufiventris, resulta fundamental mitigar sus efectos mediante la protección y restauración de los bosques existentes, así como la implementación de biocorredores que favorezcan la conectividad ecológica y un aumento de la proporción de bosques en el paisaje. Asimismo, es prioritario desarrollar programas orientados a mejorar la estructura y la composición del paisaje ante la expansión de las actividades humanas.

Wildlife trafficking and human–wildlife conflict are major causes of species decline. The illegal nature of wildlife trafficking makes it hard, and sometimes dangerous, to study. ‘Mansión Mascota’ is a veterinary clinic in Guayaquil, Ecuador, which, through agreement with the Ecuadorian Ministry of the Environment, receives confiscated wildlife for treatment. Mansión Mascota also receives injured and abandoned wildlife brought in by the authorities and the public. Between January 2018 and September 2022, the clinic received 3212 wild animals from ≥171 taxa, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Through the classification of records based on reported use, native distribution, and evidence of capture/pet keeping, we were able to classify 1127 animals of 68 species as subject to wildlife trafficking. Turtles were the most abundant group (69%). The majority of turtles (91%) and primates (80%) were of Amazonian origin, whereas 90% of psittacines and 97% of carnivores had potential coastal origins. Threatened and conservation-dependent species were common in the traffic. Furthermore, ≥955 animals of 106 species were brought to the clinic due to anthropogenic wildlife conflict. Trafficking, combined with the high number of injured animals, highlights the synergistic threats facing wildlife in Ecuador.

We aimed to improve knowledge among high school students on local environmental issues, with emphasis on the ecology and threats to primates in the Alto Mayo Valley of San Martin Region, Peru. The Alto Mayo Valley is home to at least 8 species of primate, including the endemic and Critically Endangered San Martín titi monkey (Plecturocebus oenanthe). San Martin is also the most deforested region of Peru. We used two participatory teaching methods: Experiential learning and inquiry-based education. The learning experiences were activities that guided students to look for solutions to real-life situations. The project consisted of 8 lessons co-designed by us and the participating school teachers, and implemented by the same teachers with our guidance. Lesson 5 was a field trip to a local community conservation area to apply primatological field techniques and gather scientific data. The students’ final product was a video presentation and a poster of their results. One hundred percent of students acknowledged they learned something new about their local environment, primates, conservation, and research. Experiential learning techniques are effective in developing awareness, knowledge and self-advocacy amongst school students. Our inquiry-based method placed students and teachers closer to scientists, helping them to see the role of science in their neighbourhood. This method can be easily adapted to other regions in Peru and globally.