GENETIC APPROACH OF THE COIBA ISLAND HOWLER MONKEY Alouatta coibensis coibensis FROM PANAMA, AND ITS CONSERVATION IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Studies on genetic diversity are key to conservation management because they may determine the resilience of primate populations under environmental and anthropogenic changes. Herein, we studied genetic diversity and connectivity in a population sample of the Coiba island howler monkey Alouatta coibensis coibensis from Coiba island in Panama. We collected 14 faecal samples from individuals at two sites on the northern and north-eastern sides of the island at the Gambute and Los Pozos trails, respectively. DNA was extracted from these samples, and partial sequences of cytochrome oxidase I (COI) were obtained and used as molecular markers to determine genetic diversity. Haplotypic diversity estimates ranged from 0.68 to 0.80 and from 0.0026 to 0.0041 for nucleotide diversity. Genetic connectivity based on reduced genetic distances and nonsignificant Hudson Snn test values suggests elevated connectivity between sites and the existence of a single population with good variability. Demographic history data identified positive Tajimas D as an indication of population contraction and reduced population size in this species. These results will be the baseline for establishing a better understanding of population structure, genetic health, connectivity patterns and reproductive behaviour along the largest island of the Central American Pacific. This information will allow scientists to understand and better evaluate the conservation status of this primate, confirming good availability of genetic flow even for this population living in isolation.