Coordinators: Dean Anderson and Nancy Ruggeri, Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison _________________________________________________________________ The World's Top 25 Most Endangered Primates- 2002 A recent report released by Conservation International (CI) and the Primate Specialist Group of IUCN was finalized at the 2002 International Primatological Society meetings in Beijing. It is a revision of their previously released "The World's Top 25 most Endangered Primates", which indicates that about one out of every three primate species is currently threatened with extinction. This updated version suggests that Indonesia now exceeds Madagascar and Brazil for the country with the most endangered primates. However, Madagascar, identified as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, has 10 critically endangered species, and 21 endangered species. For the full report, please refer to the link at the bottom of this message. Each week, we will be featuring one of the 25 primate species in peril. This is being done in conjunction with Conservation International. The fact sheets are compiled by Sean Flannery at the WPRC Library and Information Service. Northern Muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus) Brazil Photo Link: http://www.primate.wisc.edu/pin/ci/ci06.html The northern muriqui is the most threatened of the two critically endangered muriquis, its total numbers being lower and its populations being smaller and more fragmented than those of the southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides). These are the largest primates in South America and both are endemic to Brazil's Atlantic Forest region. The most significant population of northern muriquis is found in the forests of Fazenda Montes Claros in the state of Minas Gerais, where more than 100 animals were protected for the last 50 years by Senhor Feliciano Miguel Abdala, a private landowner who also made a tremendous contribution to our knowledge of the muriqui's ecology and behavior by establishing the Caratinga Biological Station in 1983. Shortly after Senhor Abdala's death last year, the forests of Caratinga became a permanent private reserve under Brazilian law, and will be protected in the years ahead by local non-governmental organizations. Dr. Karen Strier (University of Wisconsin-Madison) continues to supervise field studies at Caratinga with the assistance of Brazilian colleague Eduardo Veado. A couple of years ago, only eight populations of northern muriqui could be documented, at least two of them containing less than 10 individuals and very likely being non-viable. Recent surveys by Brazilian primatologist S้rgio Mendes, however, have helped identify nine new populations in the state of Espirito Santo and have increased our estimate of the total population from about 300 to 400 or more. Relevant Citations: Strier KB ; Dib LT ; Figueira JEC. Social dynamics of male muriquis (Brachyteles arachnoides hypoxanthus). BEHAVIOUR. 2002. 139(2-3). Pgs: 315-342>
Strier KB. Population viabilities and conservation implications for muriquis (Brachyteles arachnoides) in Brazil's Atlantic Forest. BIOTROPICA. 2000. 32(4b). Pgs: 903-913
Printes RC ; Strier KB. Behavioral correlates of dispersal in female muriquis (Brachyteles arachnoides). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY. 1999. 20(6). Pgs: 941-960
Fact Sheet: The full report is available at: Full report _________________________________________________________________ Topics in Primate Conservation is supported by a grant RR00167, Regional Primate Centers Program, National Center for Research Resources, The National Institutes of Health. _________________________________________________________________ Posted Date: 1-23-03
URL: http://www.primate.wisc.edu/pin/cons/peril6.html
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April 8, 2003
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