Conservação do sagüi-da-serra-escuro – Callithrix aurita (Primates): uma análise molecular e colorimétrica de populações do gênero Callithrix e seus híbridos

Abstract

The buffy-tufted-ear marmoset (Callithrix aurita) is a small primate endemic to the mountainous regions of the South-Eastern Brazilian Atlantic forest. In addition to being classified as "endangered" on the National List of Threatened Species, it has been the subject of particular concern amongst conservationists. Habitat loss and, above all, the rapid invasion of its territory by other species of marmosets introduced by human actions, has resulted in local extinctions and/or the appearance of individuals which are hybrids between C. aurita and its congeners. The perception of a rapid increase in these phenomena has necessitated studies to increase our knowledge about native species and their relationship with the environment. Our objectives are: to review molecular analysis as a tool for research on and conservation of primates; to implement a molecular characterization using lineage markers (COI and SRY) of marmosets of the genus Callithrix – invaders, hybrids, and "pures" – which are currently taking place in the state of Rio de Janeiro; to identify neotropical primates of the genus Callithrix using mini-amplicons of COI in museum samples; and to carry out a colorimetric characterization of the Buffy-tufted-ear marmosets, invaders and hybrids currently present in the Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and São Paulo, through the use of standardized photographic images. For these purposes, in addition to bibliographical research, 121 biological samples have been taken from individuals in the wild and in captivity, and 16 samples of different tissues were taken from 10 specimens preserved in museums. Photographic images were taken of all of the living individuals. The genetic analyses used the molecular markers COI and SRY: the COI resulted in 114 sequences of 595 bp, and the SRY resulted in fragments of 196 bp for C. aurita, and 205 bp for other species. The mini-amplicons of COI generated five overlapping sequences of approximately 200 bp. Molecular analysis reveled more haplotypes than are considered valid for the species, and confirmed the cases of hybridization in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais, including hybridization with native species in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The museum samples were successfully amplified, and colorimetric analysis separated the three species C. aurita, C. jaccus, and C. penicillata, but did not provide a unique ID for hybrids of native species.