Parameters modeling speciogenic process in Cebus apella (Primates: Platyrrrhini) from Argentina.

MARTINEZ, ROMARI A.; GUIDICE, ALDO; SZAPKIEVICH, VALERIA B.; ASCUNCE, MARINA S.; NIEVES, MARIELA; ZUNINO, GABRIEL E.; MUDRY, MARTA D.

MASTOZOOLOGíA NEOTROPICAL

Sociedad Argentina para el Estudio de los Mamíferos

Año: 2002 vol. 2 p. 171 - 186

0327-9383

In the last fifteen years the phylogenies of the New World Primates (NWP) have been reviewed. Genetic tools, ranging from traditional cytogenetic to modern DNA analysis, are very powerful sources of information. However, little can be said regarding the speciogenic process of a given species without a complement of biogeographic and traditional taxonomy. Within Argentina there are two reported subspecies of Cebus apella, populary known as tufted capuchin monkeys: Cebus apella paraguayanus, from Salta and Jujuy, and C.a.nigritus, inhabiting the Paranaense forest in the northern Misiones. These contribution intends to review a series of variables in order to discuss possible evolutionary pathways of tufted capuchins speciation in Argentina considering the hypothesis of the distinct biogeographical origins for these subspecies. A morphometric analysis using 30 craneal and dental measurenments gives significant differenciation among subspecies (p<0.0001). Data from heterocromatic polymorphisms support an active speciation process, reflected in the gradual loss of the large heterocromatic segment of pair 11. Genetic distance employing the COII gene with only transversional substitution, finds a divergence greater (dTN=0.0072) than in interspecific comparison within other genera. The reconstruction of the evolutionary history of Cebus apella, within the particular characteristic of its  southernmost  distribution in Argentina and neighbording countries is attempted.