In 2007 we conducted a field study of almost 6 mo to determine the distribution of Callicebus oenanthe, formerly known as the Andean titi monkey. There previously has been no extensive study on the distribution and status by other fieldworkers. We visited a total of 96 localities within or around the presumed distribution of this rare primate species to determine the distribution of Callicebus oenanthe. We collected additional information on group size and threats to the species. Our expeditions revealed that the species is not endemic to the Alto Mayo Valley, as earlier authors suggested, but that its distribution extends into the Bajo Mayo and Huallaga Central. The study area is heavily deforested, and to date only one area was found where a viable population might live, although further research is needed to confirm this. The species lives in the southern part of its distribution in sympatry with another, undescribed species of Callicebus. We will continue the study to determine more precisely the distribution and conservation status of the Callicebus oenanthe, to determine if conservation measures are necessary for this species. This is the first activity of a long-term project for the conservation of Callicebus oenanthe initiated by La Vallée des Singes Primate park.

Simple SummaryTiti monkeys—a diversified group of pair-bonded, territorial neotropical primates exhibiting biparental care—produce elaborate, powerful vocal duets used for long-range communication. While the callicebine taxonomy has been centered mainly on the biogeography, morphology, anatomy, and genetics of titi populations, vocal attributes have received little attention as potentially informative markers of phylogenetic relationships. We conducted acoustic analysis of callicebine loud calls recorded from ten species of titis at sites in Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador and found four distinct patterns of duetting that only partially match three major clades identified in recent molecular genetic studies. In particular, we found that the loud calls of the San Martin titi monkey, P. oenanthe, and the Urubamba brown titi, P. urubambensis, strikingly differ from putative relatives within the donacophilus lineage. Our findings highlight interplay between genes and environment on the expression of vocal behavior and suggest that closer interaction between taxonomists, ethologists, and molecular biologists should be rewarding in resolving the callicebine phylogeny. Such concerted efforts, in turn, will most likely generate valuable recommendations for the conservation of some endangered populations of titi monkeys, such as the vocally distinctive San Martin titi.AbstractLong-range vocal communication in socially monogamous titi monkeys is mediated by the production of loud, advertising calls in the form of solos, duets, and choruses. We conducted a power spectral analysis of duets and choruses (simply “duets” hereafter) followed by linear discriminant analysis using three acoustic parameters—dominant frequency of the combined signal, duet sequence duration, and pant call rate—comparing the coordinated vocalizations recorded from 36 family groups at 18 sites in Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador. Our analysis identified four distinct duetting patterns: (1) a donacophilus pattern, sensu stricto, characteristic of P. donacophilus, P. pallescens, P. olallae, and P. modestus; (2) a moloch pattern comprising P. discolor, P. toppini, P. aureipalatii, and P. urubambensis; (3) a torquatus pattern exemplified by the duet of Cheracebus lucifer; and (4) the distinctive duet of P. oenanthe, a putative member of the donacophilus group, which is characterized by a mix of broadband and narrowband syllables, many of which are unique to this species. We also document a sex-related difference in the bellow-pant phrase combination among the three taxa sampled from the moloch lineage. Our data reveal a presumptive taxonomic incoherence illustrated by the distinctive loud calls of both P. urubambensis and P. oenanthe within the donacophilus lineage, sensu largo. The results are discussed in light of recent reassessments of the callicebine phylogeny, based on a suite of genetic studies, and the potential contribution of environmental influences, including habitat acoustics and social learning. A better knowledge of callicebine loud calls may also impac...

A group based survey on the presence of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar using realtime PCR among 20 species of captive non-human primates was performed after diagnosis of E. histolytica dysentery in a spider monkey (Ateles belzebuth hybridus). E. histolytica DNA was detected in three species of New World primates and in three species of Old World primates. In five of six E. histolytica isolates, it was possible to amplify the SREHP gene. They all revealed the same pattern after AluI digestion, indicating a common source of infection. E. dispar DNA was detected in two species of New World monkeys and three species of Old World monkeys. The results demonstrate that E. histolytica is capable of causing symptomatic and non-symptomatic infections in Old World and New World non-human primates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of E. histolytica sensu stricto in non-human primates after the redescription separating it from E. dispar in 1993.

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