A species population conservation strategy for the brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) in Argentina in the context of yellow fever outbreaks

AGOSTINI I; HOLZMANN I; DI BITETTI M; OKLANDER L; KOWALEWSKI M; BELDOMENICO PM; GOENAGA S; MARTÍNEZ M; MORENO E; LESTANI E; DESBIEZ A; MILLER P

Tropical Conservation Science

Mongobay

Año: 2014 vol. 7 p. 26 - 34

1940-0829

The brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) is endemic to South America?s Atlantic Forest, with a small population extending into the northern portion 28 of Misiones province, northeastern Argentina. In 2012, due to its highly restricted 29 distribution, low population density and dramatic declines from recent yellow fever 30 outbreaks, the species was classified as Critically Endangered in Argentina. In March 31 2013, we organized an international workshop in Misiones aimed at evaluating 32 population status in Argentina and carrying out a threat analysis. We developed 33 population viability models using Vortex and Outbreak software packages. These tools 34 allowed us to explore how several biological and demographic parameters of brown 35 howlers, as well as factors related to Yellow Fever epidemiology, affect the probability 36 of species extinction. The discussion among diverse specialists and analysis of model 37 results identified Yellow Fever as the main threat to brown howler population 38 persistence in Argentina. Our threat analysis, focused on the dynamics of Yellow Fever 39 outbreaks and their impact on howler populations, led to the identification of gaps in 40 knowledge that helped prioritize objectives and actions for the development of a species 41 conservation strategy in Argentina.