Biogeography and Conservation of Andean Primates in Peru

Abstract

The Tropical Andes is one of the biologically richest and diverse regions on earth, a biodiversity hotspot especially abundant in endemic species and threatened by human activities. Peru is one of the most biodiverse countries on earth, a global centre for plant, invertebrate and vertebrate species including three endemic primates: the yellow-tailed woolly monkey, Oreonax flavicauda; the Peruvian night monkey, Aotus miconax and the Andean titi monkey, Callicebus oenanthe. Geographically restricted, these endemic primates are found only within the pre-montane and montane cloud forests of the Andes at mid- and high-elevation sites. The biogeography of primates is the result of the complex relationship between geographical, historical and ecological factors. The major geographical and historical factors affecting the biogeography of Andean primates are the uplift of the Andes Mountains, and the presence of refugia and barriers such as the major river systems of the Huallaga and Maranon. The majority of Peruvian primates are found in the eastern Amazonian lowlands but many of these ‘lowland’ species have distributions that include mid- and high altitude sites. The presence of these predominantly lowland species at sites with lower temperatures, higher solar radiation, reduced resource availability and other ecological impacts of increased altitude could be a case of outlying populations expanding their distributions, either naturally or under anthropogenic pressures, to areas with sub-optimal conditions. With an estimated 4.5 million people living in the Peruvian Yungas, there are increasing pressures on this fragile environment. Deforestation and habitat fragmentation are the result of farming and development projects such as road construction and mining. The highest rates of deforestation have occurred in the Departments of San Martin and Amazonas, the main stronghold of Peru’s endemic primate species. Climate change has also had noticeable effects on the cloud forests. Changes in plant phenology and the movement of species to higher altitudes may have negative impacts on the current high altitude species forcing them towards extinction. Further research is required on the biogeography of primates in the Peruvian Andes, in particular focusing on what factors influence the distribution patterns of high altitude primates and how this information can be used to help with future conservation strategies.