title: Comparative Characterization of the External Genitalia and Reproductive Tubular Organs of Three Species of the Genus Saimiri Voigt, 1831 (Primates: Cebidae).
abstract: Morphological information on the reproductive system allows the understanding of ecological and behavioural aspects of different species as well as supports the development of conservational strategies. Unfortunately, for many species, not enough relevant and precise information is available. In the present study, we describe for the first time the macroscopic and histological aspects of female genital organs and external female genitalia of Saimiri macrodon, Saimiri cassiquiarensis and Saimiri vanzolinii. We perform a comparison between these three peripatric species and investigate the possibility of their reproductive morphology to act as a factor of reproductive isolation. We have found that these species share many similarities in most of the analysed organs. Although some important differences were identified that may play an important role in the evolution of the components of the reproductive system of these species, those differences are not enough to compose a mechanism of reproductive isolation for these three species of Saimiri. The results of this study may be used to support the development of biotechnological approaches of reproduction and strategies for conservation programmes and management of threatened species of this genus, particularly S. vanzolinii, considered to be a vulnerable species to extinction.
authors: Postgraduate Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
authors: G P
authors: GP
authors: Lopes
authors: Postgraduate Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
authors: A B
authors: AB
authors: Brito
authors: Research Group on Ecology of Terrestrial Vertebrates, Institute for Sustainable Development Mamirauá, Tefé, Amazonas, Brazil.
authors: F P
authors: FP
authors: Paim
authors: Postgraduate Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
authors: R R
authors: RR
authors: Santos
authors: Research Group on Ecology of Terrestrial Vertebrates, Institute for Sustainable Development Mamirauá, Tefé, Amazonas, Brazil.
authors: H L
authors: HL
authors: Queiroz
authors: Postgraduate Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
authors: S F S
authors: SF
authors: Domingues
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D056727:Endangered Species; D004717:Endometrium / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology; D060047:Reproductive Isolation; D012453:Saimiri / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000033:anatomy & histology*