title: Limited genetic diversity in the critically endangered Mexican howler monkey (Alouatta palliata mexicana) in the Selva Zoque, Mexico.
abstract: The Mexican howler monkey (Alouatta palliata mexicana) is a critically endangered primate, which is paleoendemic to Mexico. However, despite the potential significance of genetic data for its management and conservation, there have been no population genetic studies of this subspecies. To examine genetic diversity in the key remaining forest refuge for A. p. mexicana, the Selva Zoque, we amplified full-length mitochondrial control region sequences (1,100 bp) from 45 individuals and found 7 very similar haplotypes. Haplotype diversity (h = 0.486) and nucleotide diversity (π = 0.0007) were extremely low compared to other Neotropical primates. Neutrality tests, used to evaluate demographic effects (Tajima's D = -1.48, p = 0.05; Fu's F s = -3.33, p = 0.02), and mismatch distribution (sum of squares deviation = 0.006, p = 0.38; raggedness index = 0.12, p = 0.33) were consistent with a recent and mild population expansion and genetic diversity appears to be historically low in this taxon. Future studies should use a combination of mitochondrial and nuclear markers to fully evaluate genetic diversity and to better understand demographic history in A. p. mexicana. These studies should be undertaken throughout its geographic range in order to evaluate population structure and identify management units for conservation. Due to the limited distribution and population size of A. p. mexicana, future conservation strategies may need to consider genetic management. However, a more detailed knowledge of the population genetics of the subspecies is urgently recommended to maximise the conservation impact of these strategies.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biological Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3QG, UK. jcd54@cam.ac.uk.|Centro de Investigaciones Tropicales, Ex-Hacienda Lucas Martín, Xalapa, VER, C.P. 91019, Mexico. jcd54@cam.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jacob C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Tropicales, Ex-Hacienda Lucas Martín, Xalapa, VER, C.P. 91019, Mexico.|School of Applied Sciences, Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5BB, UK.
authors.forename: Aralisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shedden-González
authors.affiliation: Division of Biological Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3QG, UK.
authors.forename: Jurgi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cristóbal-Azkarate
authors.affiliation: Museum of Zoology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, 1109 Geddes Ave., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cortés-Ortiz
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Tropicales, Ex-Hacienda Lucas Martín, Xalapa, VER, C.P. 91019, Mexico.
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Luna
authors.affiliation: Division of Biological Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3QG, UK.|Department of Anthropology, University of Utah, 270 S. 1400 E., Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
authors.forename: Leslie A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Knapp
mesh_terms: D000508:Alouatta / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D063147:Animal Distribution; D000818:Animals; D056727:Endangered Species; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006239:Haplotypes; D008800:Mexico
keywords: Alouatta palliata; Bottleneck; Conservation; Genetic diversity; Population genetics; Primate