A Preliminary Study of the Genetic Diversity of Pygmy Marmoset Callithrix pygmaea (Primates: Cebidae: Callithrichinae) using Short Sequence Repeats (SSR)

Abstract:

Genetic diversity is a major concern in conservation biology, the loss of genetic diversity is often associated with a reduction in reproductive fitness and a population decrease. Genetic diversity is required for populations to evolve and adapt to environmental changes that in present times are more frequent and more rapid due to anthropogenic factors (Frankham et al. 2003). Primates play a fundamental role in the dynamics of tropical ecosystems. The pygmy marmoset Callithrix pygmaea is the smallest primate species in Ecuador and shows a high degree of specialization in habitat and diet (de la Torre et al. 2009). This specialization combined with the increase of human activities in tropical rainforests could drive pygmy marmoset populations to genetic bottle necks with the subsequent loss of genetic diversity. Almost nothing, however, is known about the genetic diversity of this species so we began a pilot study to …

Año de publicación:

2011

Keywords:

Fuente:

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