Conservation Biology in Panama

 

Azuero Howler Monkey Conservation

The project “Diversity and Conservation Status of Endemic Primates (Atelidae) in Azuero Peninsula, Panama” is part of the Primate Conservation Program that Pedro Méndez-Carvajal has been doing since 2001.  Now as an associated researcher with the Mammal Division of the Florida Museum of Natural History, this project will involves DNA extraction and PCR analysis in Azuero Peninsula-Panama. This is one of the contributions that the Reed Lab began in 2007 in order to collect pilot data for assessing the taxonomy and population genetics of this endemic Panamanian howler monkey, which is critically endangered (Alouatta coibensis trabeata). 
    The Azuero Peninsula is one of the oldest geological regions of Panama, and dates from the Jurassic.  Since the formation of the Panamanian land bridge, the Azuero peninsula has functioned as a humid refuge for plants and animals with affinities for tropical rainforests (e.g. Amazonian) that dispersed through the Pacific dry corridor during the great American biotic interchange (Samudio 2002, Méndez 1970).  Its age and isolation pointed to Azuero as a potential center of endemism for Panama biodiversity.  In addition, this peninsula has been occupied by humans since pre-columbian times (around 12,000
years before the present), who have been exploiting its natural resources throughout that time (Coates 2001). 


The long history of human use of wildlife in Azuero is threatening the fauna, a condition that is turning highly critical due to the lack of ecological studies in this region. Some studies recognize that the Azuero primate diversity includes at least two endemic primate taxa at the level of subspecies, the Azuero howler monkey (Alouatta coibensis trabeata) and the Azuero spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi azuerensis).  The natural history for both endemic subspecies is poorly known and currently there is little information on them.

Pedro is collecting fecal samples from which DNA can be amplified and sequenced.




    Recent studies by Pedro Méndez-Carvajal and collaborators include pilot surveys and monitoring of localities where we can find howler populations living in forest patches, gallery forests, and small mountains (Méndez-Carvajal 2001, 2002, 2005).  In 2007 fecal samples were added to analyze DNA sequences as a contribution of the Florida Museum of Natural History (Reed Lab) and is one of the important tools that will help us describe the genetic diversity found in this animal, its level of gene flow with neighboring populations, and make taxonomic changes if warranted before this species disappears.   Very special thanks to Julie Allen for her help teaching PCR techniques at the molecular lab!