Introduced Primate Species of an Atlantic Forest Region in Brazil: Present and Future Implications for the Native Fauna

Abstract

The Atlantic Forest of the state of Rio de Janeiro was the habitat of six native primate species: Callithrix aurita, Leontopithecus rosalia, Alouatta guariba clamitans, Brachyteles arachnoides, Callicebus nigrifrons and Cebus nigritus; a seventh species, Brachteles hypoxanthus, possibly occurs in the state. In the literature, the number of non-native primate species for the state was less (three) than the native species (six or seven). Our study reviews the list of primate species, both native and non-native, within the state of Rio de Janeiro and discusses the possible impacts of the introduced primates on the native fauna. Using data from the literature, personal communication with experts, data from Brazilian Federal datasets (Linha Verde and CETAS), and specimens deposited in scientific collections of museums, we recorded 17 primate species with at least one record within the state of Rio de Janeiro. At least eight taxa can be considered non-native to the state. Conservation implications for native fauna may include food resource depletion and competition, hybridization, and disease transmission. Some of these effects were already recorded on the native fauna. We believe the removal of non-native primate species from the state is necessary in order to preserve native fauna regardless of political and ethical issues.Key words: Invasive species, Primates, Atlantic Forest, Conservation, Rio de Janeiro Resumo A Mata Atlântica do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, originalmente, abrigava seis espécies de primatas:Callithrix aurita, Leontopithecus rosalia, Alouatta guariba clamitans, Brachyteles arachnoides, Callicebus nigrifrons e Cebus nigritus; entretanto, uma sétima espécie, Brachyteles hypoxanthus, possivelmente ocorre no Estado. Na literatura, o número de espécies não nativas registrado para o Estado é bem menor (três espécies) do que nativas (seis ou sete). Nosso estudo revisou a lista de espécies de primatas, entre nativos e não nativos, no Estado do Rio de Janeiro e discute os possíveis impactos dos primatas introduzidos para a fauna nativa. Usando dados da literatura, comunicação pessoal de especialistas, de um conjunto de dados governamentais (LinhaVerde e CETAS) e de espécimes depositados em coleções científicas de museus, registramos 17 espécies de primatas com pelo menos um registro para o estado do Rio de Janeiro. Pelo menos oito taxa são não nativos ao estado do Rio de Janeiro. Implicações para a conservação da fauna nativa podem variar desde a super-exploração e competição por recursos alimentares, hibridação e transmissão de doenças. Alguns destes efeitos já foram observados na fauna nativa. Acreditamos que a remoção das espécies de primatas não nativas ao Estado é necessária para a preservação da fauna nativa, mesmo que questões políticas e éticas possam existir.

Pet snakes illegally marketed in Brazil: Climatic viability and establishment risk

“…In addition to these measures, other care need to be taken, such as to discourage the breeding of exotic species, raise awareness about the risk of loosening, and intensify surveillance at the Brazilian borders and postal agencies, ports and airports. It is worth mentioning that the invasion of species does not occur solely through animals from other countries, but also from another region or biome [ 143 , 144 , 145 ]. In Brazil, despite breeding of some wild animals is allowed, the introduction of species beyond their original distribution area is prohibited by Decree (No.…”

Spatial distribution of buffy‐tufted‐ear (Callithrix aurita) and invasive marmosets (Callithrixspp.) in a tropical rainforest reserve in southeastern Brazil

“…Callithrix jacchus and C. penicillata are invasive species in southeastern Brazil, although their populations are well established in this region, and have a negative impact on a number of different aspects of the local fauna and flora (Oliveira & Grelle ; Rocha, Bergallo, & Pombal JR, ; Ruiz‐Miranda et al, ; Sales, Ruiz‐Miranda, & de Paula Santos, ). These invasive marmosets are now known to occur in many fragments of the local Atlantic Forest, including conservation units, which were previously inhabited only by C. aurita (Bechara, ; Carvalho et al, ; Oliveira, ; Pereira et al, ).…”

“…The management of introduced species is recommended by the National Action Plan for the Mammals of Southeastern Brazil (Escarlate‐Tavares, Valença‐Montenegro, & Jerusalinsky, ). The first step in this process is a systematic survey program to determine the extent of the problem and identify the priority areas for the management of the invasive species (Oliveira & Grelle, ). Given the difficulties of obtaining reliable abundance estimates from count‐ or detection/non‐detection data, researchers often avoid using density estimation altogether, adopting occupancy (i.e., the probability that a site is occupied by a species) as an alternative population parameter (Burton et al, ).…”

NEW SOUTHERNMOST RECORDS OF Callithrix geoffroyi (PRIMATES, CALLITRICHIDAE) EXPAND THE SPECIES KNOWN RANGE, IN SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL

“…The transportation and release of marmosets outside their historical range may lead to the replacement of native marmosets by exotic congeners or by hybrids (Passamani et al 1997, Pereira et al 2008, changing the geographic distribution patterns of the genera. The presence of established populations of introduced C. jacchus and C. penicillata in the state of Rio de Janeiro is well documented in the literature (Oliveira & Grelle 2012, Rocha et al 2004, being a cause Braz et al of concern for both marmosets and other native species (Alexandrino et al 2012, Galetti et al 2009, Oliveira & Grelle 2012, Pereira et al 2008, Ruiz-Miranda et al 2006. Therefore, human introductions of exotic marmosets, together with Atlantic Forest deforestation, may be precluding a predictable and steady expansion of the distribution of C. geoffroyi.…”