Morphological and Genetic Characterization of Saimiri boliviensis

Abstract

The taxonomy of Saimiri is controversial because morphological characteristics, traditionally used for identification, are insufficient to distinguish species and subspecies. Genetic studies of specimens become relevant for captive management, especially considering their frequently unknown geographical origin. We analyzed phenotypic and genetic parameters in Saimiri spp. in Argentinean zoological gardens and biological stations to provide a more accurate taxonomic identification. We studied 27 males and 19 females of Saimiri spp. The cytogenetic analysis in mitotic metaphases corroborated a modal number of 2N=44, XX/XY, and FN=75 for males and FN=76 for females. G-and C-bands, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and the pelage coloration pattern of all the specimens corresponded to Saimiri boliviensis boliviensis. We characterized for the first time the sperm cell morphology and morphometry (mean±SE): total length: 71.39± 5.40 μm; head length: 5.71±0.81 μm; head width: 3.76±0.70 μm; acrosome length: 3.70±0.82 μm; midpiece length: 12.20±2.22 μm. Researchers can use the characterization of the sperm morphology as another parameter for taxonomic identification that, together with cytogenetic and molecular ones, would allow a more precise identification of individual Saimiri boliviensis boliviensis.

Sperm Morphology in Neotropical Primates

“…Values of sperm head width were similar for A. belzebuth and A. geoffroyi , but higher for A. chamek and A. paniscus (Table 2). Our results for sperm from Cebus cay , C. nigritus and A. caraya are in agreement with those of previous studies applying similar staining techniques ([11,21]; Table IV in [20]).…”

“…We created a database from the available literature (Table 2) on sperm morphometry of neotropical primates [2,9,11,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24], where only the first reference was considered and duplicate entries were removed (e.g., data for Saimiri sciureus were first reported by Martin et al [17] and repeated in [2,9]; then, the latter two were excluded from the analysis). If the number of specimens was missing (such as in [2,11,17]) the record was assumed to belong to a single individual.…”

“…In Primates, however, there is little information on sperm morphometry from an evolutionary point of view. In particular, this subject has been poorly studied in neotropical primates (new world primates or Platyrrhini), with only a few species studied to this date [2,9,11,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24].…”

A new quantitative analysis system for the evaluation of coronary bifurcation lesions: Comparison with current conventional methods

“…Understanding a species' reproductive characteristics is essential to gaining a complete picture of its behavioral ecology [Steinberg et al, 2009]. Squirrel monkeys are characterized by a polygamous mating system [Boinski, 1987c; Izar et al, 2008; Mitchell, 1990], with highly seasonal breeding [Di Bitetti & Janson, 2000; Stone, 2004 Table V].…”

Integration of field and captive studies for understanding the behavioral ecology of the squirrel monkey (Saimirisp.)

“…Understanding a species' reproductive characteristics is essential to gaining a complete picture of its behavioral ecology [Steinberg et al, 2009]. Squirrel monkeys are characterized by a polygamous mating system [Boinski, 1987c;Izar et al, 2008;Mitchell, 1990], with highly seasonal breeding [Di Bitetti & Janson, 2000;Stone, 2004; Table V].…”