Genetic consequences of habitat fragmentation in Alouatta caraya.

OKLANDER LI, KOWALEWSKI MM, ZUNINO GE, CORACH D.

Entebbe - UGANDA

Congreso; XXIst International Primatological Society Congress; 2006

International Primatological Society

Loss of genetic variation and inbreeding depression are expected outcomes of forest fragmentation. In this study we present data from one population of black and gold howler monkeys in Northern Argentina (27º 30’ S, 58º 41’ W). The gallery forest inhabited by the study groups has been under continuous logging for the past 20 years. DNA was extracted using tissue samples from 40 adult individuals (22 females, 18 males), living in nine forest fragments (average distance between fragments=1206.4m, SD=583.9m). We used seven polymorphic microsatellites: 3 STRs (AC14, AC17, AC45) were isolated from an enriched mini-genomic library developed for A. caraya, whose repetitive units are: (CA), (CTTT) and (GTTTT); and 4 previously described for Homo sapiens that are polymorphic in A. caraya (TGMS1, TGMS2, D5S117, D8S165). Our results did not indicate deviations from H-W equilibrium neither for the population nor among individuals within groups. However, Fst values between-groups were consistent with a recent genetic differentiation in this population (Fst=0.0846, AMOVA p>0.000). The ecological density, the number and composition of groups have remained constant for the last 20 years. The genetic differences between groups may be the result of reduced gene flow and migratory opportunities due to habitat fragmentation. Inbreeding was not detected in the groups. However, if deforestation continues, we expect to find permanent isolation of subsets of the population.