Abstract
The muriqui (Brachyteles spp.), endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, is the largest primate in South America and is endangered, mainly due to habitat loss. Its distribution limits are still uncertain and need to be resolved in order to determine their true conservation status. Species distribution modeling (SDM) has been used to estimate potential species distributions, even when information is incomplete. Here, we developed an environmental suitability model for the two endangered species of muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus and B. arachnoides) using Maxent software. Due to historical absence of muriquis, areas with predicted high habitat suitability yet historically never occupied, were excluded from the predicted historical distribution. Combining that information with the model, it is evident that rivers are potential dispersal barriers for the muriquis. Moreover, although the two species are environmentally separated in a large part of its distribution, there is a potential contact zone where the species apparently do not overlap. This separation might be due to either a physical (i.e., Serra da Mantiqueira mountains) or a biotic barrier (the species exclude one another). Therefore, in addition to environmental characteristics, physical and biotic barriers potentially shaped the limits of the muriqui historical range. Based on these considerations, we proposed the adjustment of their historical distributional limits. Currently only 7.6% of the predicted historical distribution of B. hypoxanthus and 12.9% of B. arachnoides remains forested and able to sustain viable muriqui populations. In addition to measurement of habitat loss we also identified areas for conservation concern where new muriqui populations might be found.
Highlights
The muriqui (Brachyteles Spix, 1823) is the largest New World primate and is endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil [1,2], which itself is considered one of the most endangered biomes in the world [3], with only 11.7% remaining, scattered in numerous fragments of varying sizes [4]
According to Species Distribution Modeling (SDM), suitable habitat for B. hypoxanthus is found in several Brazilian states, from southeastern Pernambuco (PE) to northeastern São Paulo (SP), for a total potential area of occurrence of 329,445 km2
SDM results for B. arachnoides indicated suitable habitat from central Espírito Santo (ES) to eastern Santa Catarina (SC), for a total potential area of occurrence of 345,760 km2
Summary
The muriqui (Brachyteles Spix, 1823) is the largest New World primate and is endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil [1,2], which itself is considered one of the most endangered biomes in the world [3], with only 11.7% remaining, scattered in numerous fragments of varying sizes [4]. The two currently recognized species are Brachyteles hypoxanthus (Kuhl, 1820), the northern muriqui, and B. arachnoides 1806), the southern muriqui [5,6,7]. Both species are endangered due to habitat loss and poaching; B. hypoxanthus is considered critically endangered and B. arachnoides is endangered in the IUCN classification [8,9]
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