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EditorsAnthony B. RylandsErnesto Rodrguez-Luna

Assistant EditorsJohn M. Aguiar

Liliana Corts-OrtizPSG ChairmanRussell A. Mittermeier

PSG Deputy ChairmanAnthony B. Rylands

NEOTROPICAL PRIMATES

ISSN 1413-4703

SPECIES SURVI VAL

COMMISSION

A Journal of the Neotropical Section of theIUCN/SSC Pr imate Spec ia lis t Group

V o l u m e 1 3S u p p l e m e n tDecember 2005

Te Ecology and Conservation

of the Muriqui (Brachyteles)Reports from 2002 2005

Guest EditorsKaren B. Strier, Luiz Paulo de S. Pinto,Adriano Paglia, Jean P. Boubli,Srgio L. Mendes and Onildo J. Marini-Filho

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Neotropical PrimatesA Journal of the Neotropical Section of the IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group

Center for Applied Biodiversity ScienceConservation International

2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22202, USAISSN 1413-4703DOI: 10.1896/ci.cabs.2005.np.13.suppl.

EditorsAnthony B. Rylands, Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, Conservation International, Arlington, VA, USAErnesto Rodrguez-Luna, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mxico

Assistant EditorsJohn M. Aguiar, Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, Conservation International, Arlington, VA, USALiliana Corts-Ortiz, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mxico

Editorial Board

Hannah M. Buchanan-Smith, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, UKAdelmar F. Coimbra-Filho, Academia Brasileira de Cincias, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilLiliana Corts-Ortiz, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, MxicoCarolyn M. Crockett, Regional Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USAStephen F. Ferrari, Universidade Federal do Par, Belm, BrazilEckhard W. Heymann, Deutsches Primatenzentrum, Gttingen, GermanyRussell A. Mittermeier, Conservation International, Arlington, VA, USAMarta D. Mudry, Universidad de Buenos Aires, ArgentinaHorcio Schneider, Universidade Federal do Par, Belm, BrazilKaren B. Strier, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USAMaria Emlia Yamamoto, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil

Primate Specialist GroupChairman Russell A. Mittermeier

Deputy ChairAnthony B. RylandsCo-Vice Chairs for the Neotropical Region Anthony B. Rylands & Ernesto Rodrguez-LunaVice Chair for AsiaArdith A. EudeyVice Chair for AfricaTomas M. ButynskiVice Chair for MadagascarJrg U. Ganzhorn

Layout: Kim Meek, Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, Conservation International, Arlington, VA, USA

Editorial Assistance:Mariella Superina, University of New Orleans, Department of Biological Sciences, New Orleans, LA

IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group logo courtesy of Stephen D. Nash, 2002.

Front cover: Adult female northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus) at the RPPNFeliciano Miguel Abdala. Photo by Carla B. Possamai.

In collaboration with Conservao Internacional do Brasil, Avenida Getlio Vargas 1300, 7 andar, Savassi, Belo Horizonte 30112-021, Minas Gerais,Brazil. Website: .Tis publication is funded in part by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Presidio of San Francisco, P.O. Box 29910, San Francisco, California94129-0910; Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation, 432 Walker Road, Great Falls, Virginia 22066, USA; and the Los Angeles Zoo, Director

John R. Lewis, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, California 90027, USA.

Abbreviation: Neotrop. Primates

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Neotropical Primates13(Suppl.), December 2005 1

IN MEMORY OF EDUARDO MARCELINO VENURA VEADO, 1960 2006

Te muriquis at the RPPN Feliciano Miguel Abdala (previously, the Estao Biolg-ica de Caratinga, or EBC), lost one of their greatest champions when Eduardo and hiswife, Simone, were killed by a hit-and-run driver while they were taking an eveningwalk on the outskirts of Ipanema, Minas Gerais on 5 October 2006.

Eduardos long history with the EBC began when he was a student of Clio Valle,Professor of Vertebrate Zoology at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG).Clio was sponsoring Karens doctoral research at Caratinga, and knew that she neededa field assistant. He encouraged Eduardo, who showed up at the EBC in August 1983,

and ended up working with Karen through July 1984. He then returned to Belo Horizonte to complete his university stud-ies, and soon afterward, he married Simone.

Eduardo was hired by the Fundao Biodiversitas to be the Director of the EBC in 1986, and he and Simone moved toSanto Antnio de Manhuau, a small town nearby, to facilitate his work. He hosted many visitors, developed conservationeducation programs, and dedicated his lifes work to helping maintain the field station of the EBC in the Fazenda MontesClaros of Sr. Feliciano Miguel Abdala and his family, with its forest and its muriquis. Eduardos son, Lucas, was born in1989, and a few years later, Eduardo and his family moved to Caratinga, where his daughter, Bruna, was born. Eduardo

led campaigns in Caratinga to involve the city in preserving the muriquis. Despite his successful activities there, Eduardofelt that Caratinga was too far from the forest, so he and his family moved to Ipanema, where he visited with Sr. Feliciano,checked on the researchers, and administered the field station and its personnel almost daily.

Over the years, Eduardo built an impressive team of dedicated assistants to help him, many of whom are still workingwith us today. In 1993, Eduardo received a prestigious recognition award from the American Society of Primatologists,and an ongoing subscription to theAmerican Journal of Primatology, which the researchers at the EBC still value greatly.In 1994, after his position with the Fundao Biodiversitas ended, Eduardo obtained support from the Liz Claiborne and

Art Ortenberg Foundation to initiate conservation efforts among the farmers in the region surrounding the EBC. By then,our long-term research had shown that the muriqui population was growing, and would eventually need more forest.Eduardo developed a strong relationship with Sr. Feliciano, who agreed to let some of the coffee fields and pastures sur-

rounding the forest regenerate. Eduardo also built a nursery, where the seeds from fruits in the diet of the muriquis couldbe cultivated to supply seedlings for reforestation. Troughout all of this, he continued to manage the EBC, providing theinfrastructure necessary for maintaining the long-term muriqui research there, and the logistical support for visitors and theresearchers themselves.

By 1998, Eduardos conservation efforts had expanded and were generating important results. He created the AssociaoPr-Estao Biolgica de Caratinga, an environmental organization with the aim of establishing strategies for the conserva-tion of the muriqui and the forests in the entire region. He served as the Executive Director of this organization. Te Asso-ciao Pr-Estao Biolgica de Caratinga became a partner of Conservation International Brazil, which funded Eduardosongoing activities at the EBC.

With his extensive experience and accumulated knowledge of muriqui management, Eduardo was invited to serve as amember of the Committee for Management and Conservation of Muriqui when it was established in 2002. Te Commit-tees purpose is to develop strategies for the conservation of this species and to provide technical advice to IBAMA aboutdecisions concerning muriquis. Eduardos participation was highly valued.

Following the death of Sr. Feliciano in 2000, Eduardo was diligent in accompanying the discussions among the Abdalafamily about the future of their forest. It was through Eduardo that many of us learned that the Abdala family had made thehistoric decision to convert their familys forest to a Private Reserve (RPPN) in 2001.

By April 2005, the Preserve Muriqui, which administers the RPPN Feliciano Miguel Abdala, was well-established, andEduardos long-term service as Director of the EBC came to an end. During his tenure as Director, he oversaw the electricity

that was brought to the EBC, the expansion of the research house, the construction of the Visitors Center Clio Valle,and the inauguration of the Field Laboratory Dra. Karen B. Strier, in celebration of 20 years of muriqui research at EBC.Eduardo encouraged and coordinated the visits of hundreds of bus loads of students from schools in the region, as well asnumerous groups of Brazilian and foreign eco-tourists, and visiting researchers, photographers, and film crews from aroundthe world.

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Neotropical Primates13(Suppl.), December 20052

Eduardo was employed by the Mayor of Ipanema until his death, and was full of new ideas to expand conservation effortsin the region. Among the most important of these was his plan to fulfill his long-time dream of establishing a forest corridorto link the RPPN forest with the forest in Ipanema, and ultimately, with the Mata do Sossego Private Reserve, inhabited byanother isolated population of muriquis.

All of us who have worked with Eduardo know the depth of his commitment to the forest and its muriquis. Eduardo was acolleague to everyone involved with muriqui conservation, and a close friend to many of us. Most of all, he was a friend ofthe muriquis.

We will always remember Eduardo, and his many contributions, with great appreciation.

Karen B. Strier and Luiz Paulo de Souza PintoJune 2007

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HE ECOLOGY AND CONSERVAION OF HE MURIQUI BRACHYTELES:REPORS FROM 2002 2005. INRODUCION

Karen B. Strier1, Luiz Paulo S. Pinto2, Adriano Paglia3, Jean P. Boubli4, Srgio L. Mendes5,Onildo J. Marini-Filho6 and Anthony B. Rylands 7

1Department of Anthropology, 1180 Observatory Drive, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA,e-mail: 2Conservao Internacional (CIBrasil, Av. Getlio Vargas 1300, Belo Horizonte 30112-021, Minas Gerais, Brazil, e-mail:3Conservao Internacional (CIBrasil), Av. Getlio Vargas 1300, Belo Horizonte 30112-021, Minas Gerais, Brazil, e-mail:4Department of Anthropology, Te University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand, e-mail: 5Departamento de Cincias Biolgicas CCHN, Universidade Federal do Esprito Santo, Vitria 29040-090, EspritoSanto, Brazil, e-mail: 6IBAMA Coordenao de Conservao da Fauna Ameaada de Extino e Migratria (COFAU), SCEN Avenida L4Norte, Ed. Sede IBAMA, Bloco B subsolo, Braslia 70.800-200, DF, Brasil, e-mail: 7Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, Conservation International, 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22202,USA, e-mail:

Tis special issue ofNeotropical Primatesis dedicated to the muriqui (genus Brachyteles), the largest of the New World pri-mates and one of the flagships for conservation efforts worldwide. wo species are now recognized, the southern muriqui(B. arachnoides) and the northern muriqui (B. hypoxanthus). Southern muriquis are classified as Endangered, while northernmuriquis rank among the 25 most Critically Endangered primates on the planet (Strier et al., 2006). Tey are endemic tothe Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, one of the hottest of the biodiversity hotspots; very highly threatened regionswith exceptionally large numbers of endemic species (Myers et al., 2000).

Te Atlantic Forest hotspot is distributed over more than 23 degrees of latitude and encompasses parts of threecountries Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. Te forest once covered nearly 1, 360,000 km2 in Brazil alone; nearly 15 percent

of the nations territory and spanning all or part of 15 states (Galindo and Cmara, 2003). Te Brazilian Atlantic Forestshows impressive biodiversity gradients, with extraordinary levels of biological diversity in a varied set of landscapes andsocioeconomic contexts. Eighty (80 percent) of the 24 primate species and subspecies in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest are en-demic, including two endangered endemic genera the lion tamarins (Leontopithecus) and the muriquis. It is unquestion-ably one of the most threatened regions, not only in Brazil but worldwide. Less than 8 percent of the original forest persists,much of which is fragmented, degraded and polluted, and still hunted. More than 60 percent of the animals and the vastmajority of plants threatened with extinction in Brazil are found in this biome alone (Paglia, 2005).

Muriquis were first described by naturalists in the 19th century (1806), but it was Aguirres (1971) pioneering monographthat brought their plight to the attention of Brazilian scientists and conservationists, such as Adelmar F. Coimbra-Filho(1972) and Clio Valle (Valle et al., 1984). Since the late 1970s, research on primates and protected areas in the Atlantic

forest carried out by these scientists, together with Russell Mittermeier, Gustavo Fonseca and others, showed that thisregion ranks among the most diverse and most endangered on Earth. Te initial focus on primates has now blossomedinto a number of internationally and nationally supported conservation projects. Work on the lion tamarins (Kleiman andRylands, 2002) and the muriquis, and the importance of the Atlantic forest to the survival of these endemic genera, providesome of the best examples of the use of flagship species to achieve broader conservation objectives.

Te results of these efforts are evident in the new discoveries about muriquis and conservation initiatives described in thisvolume. Contributors include researchers and conservationists from academic and both governmental and nongovernmen-tal organizations. Some have devoted the greater part of their professional careers to muriquis; others are more recent part-ners who bring comparative perspectives from their work in other ecosystems and on other primates and nonprimate faunato ongoing muriqui research and conservation efforts.

Among the many advances in research have been the insights from captive management of muriquis at the Centro de Pri-matologia do Rio de Janeiro (Pissinatti), and from field studies that describe newly contacted populations in the states ofMinas Gerais (Melo and Dias), Rio de Janeiro (Garcia), Esprito Santo (Mendes, Santos and Carmo.; Vieira and Mendes)and Paran (Koehler et al.) and new research on previously studied populations in So Paulo (Martins; alebi and Soares).Long-term data on the northern muriquis at the Estao Biolgica de Caratinga/ Feliciano Miguel Abdala Private Reserve

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(hereafter, RPPN-FMA) in Minas Gerais have provided insights into reproductive ecology and demography (Strier) and thepopulations of sympatric primates in this forest (Almeida-Silvaet al.). Other studies also contribute with new insights intothe genetics of wild populations (Fagundes), and directives for the conservation and management of this species (Mendes etal.; Pontual and Boubli; Oliveira, Marini-Filho and Campos).

Conservation efforts have increasingly involved local human communities in primate conservation programs, as exempli-fied in a recent initiative in Caratinga (Pontual and Boubli). Te government has also become more involved in support-ing conservation, as is clear with the efforts of the Coordination for the Conservation of Treatened Fauna and MigratorySpecies (Coordenao de Conservao da Fauna Ameaada de Extino e Migratria COFAU) of Brazils Institute for theEnvironment (Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renovveis IBAMA), and the associated Centerfor the Protection of Brazilian Primates (Centro de Proteo de Primatas Brasileiros CPB), also part of IBAMA, created in2001 (Oliveira, Marini-Filho, and Campos). IBAMA created an international advisory committee for the conservation ofthe muriqui in 2003, involving many of the authors in this special issue. Consideration of the Atlantic forest brown howlermonkey was later deemed essential too, and in 2005 the committee became the International Committee for the Conserva-tion and Management of the Atlantic Forest Atelids. All issues concerning research, monitoring and conservation of thesespecies are now discussed, and given direction and resolution, through this government committee.

Nearly all of the advances described in this volume build on what has been a long-standing and ongoing commitment to thedual priorities and synergistic dynamics between research and conservation programs. Tus, knowledge obtained from basic

research is as necessary for the development of informed conservation and management plans as effective conservation andmanagement plans are for the continuity of research.

In an historical act, in 2003 the Brazilian Ministry for the Environment (MMA), through its Project for the Conservationand Sustainable Use of Brazilian Biological Diversity (Projeto de Conservao e Utilizao Sustentvel de Diversidade BiolgicaBrasileira PROBIO) (in partnership with Te World Bank and the Global Environment Facility) approved, simultaneously,three large conservation projects to work on different northern muriqui populations (one in Esprito Santo and two in MinasGerais). Te total amount approved for the three projects was the record-breaking sum of 1 million reais (roughly equivalentto U$500,000); never in Brazil had a species attracted such large funds from the government. Tis was strong evidence ofthe growing awareness of, and concern for, the critical state ofBrachyteles hypoxanthusand its Atlantic Forest habitat.

Te three projects were complementary, and formed a coordinated a strategy to increase our understanding of the species,and contribute to its conservation. Te first of the projects assumed responsibility for the development both of a conserva-tion program in Esprito Santo State and of comparative analyses of the conservation genetics of all northern muriquis.Te second was responsible for developing a long-term field study of a wild population of muriquis inhabiting possibly theonly large non-fragmented forest for the species the Rio Doce State Park, Minas Gerais in addition to locating otherremnant populations of northern muriquis. Te third project involved a synthesis of the ecology of the genus Brachyteles,and conservation measures for the northern muriqui population at the RPPN-FMA, Caratinga, now estimated to supportapproximately 25% of the remaining animals of the species. Muriquis at this site have been intensively studied since theearly 1980s, and the analyses of Strier (1993/1994) have shown that the only factor now hampering the continued growthand expansion of the RPPN-FMA muriqui population, and thus its long-term survival, is the availability of habitat. TeRPPN-FMA is an island surrounded by open pastures, and a major goal now is to regenerate forest within and around the

Reserve and to establish faunal corridors to connect it to neighboring forests.

Te RPPN-FMA is one of the five protected forests encompassed by the Muriqui Nucleus, an area of nearly 1 million hathat contains the largest remaining northern muriqui populations in the species entire range. Te four other protected areasare a national park that extends across the state borders of Minas Gerais and Esprito Santo (Capara), two state parks (RioDoce and Serra do Brigadeiro), and a second private reserve in Minas Gerais (Mata do Sossego). Te Muriqui Nucleus wasconceived by researchers Luiz Paulo Pinto and Adriano Paglia at Conservation International Brazil, which, with the partici-pation of government offi cials, NGOs and private landowners, are now actively engaged in the challenge of expanding andlinking these protected areas. Te product of these efforts will be the establishment of conservation connectivity across theMuriqui Nucleus, providing critical habitat for the healthy expansion of populations of muriquis and other species.

Tis initiative and several others were discussed during a workshop held in Belo Horizonte in May of 2005, with the supportof Conservation International Brazil and PROBIO. Jean Philippe Boubli organized the workshop with the goal of develop-ing a global perspective for future discussions on the conservation and management of the two muriqui species. Some of thepresentations given at this workshop are included in this volume.

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Another recent product is the completion of a management plan for northern muriquis, coordinated by Srgio L. Mendesand discussed and revised at the May 2005 meeting of the Committee for the Atlantic Forest Atelids. Te plan suggests anumber of measures, including biomonitoring studies of demography, genetics, parasites, and hormones, as well as practi-cal activities such as management in captivity, environmental education, and habitat restoration. Tis Management Planconstitutes the basis for the preparation of an Action Plan, which will be the next step in organizing an integrated system formonitoring and conserving the northern muriqui.

Te articles in this special issue ofNeotropical Primates

are a sample of the diversity of approaches being taken for the con-servation of muriquis. Clearly, tremendous advances in our knowledge of this species and its conservation needs have beenmade. Yet, this collection also emphasizes the simultaneous need for ongoing efforts on behalf of northern muriquis, andgreater investment in comparative studies on southern muriquis. Our ability to develop an informed conservation manage-ment strategy for both species of muriqui will depend upon the continuity of integrated research and conservation effortsthat involve partnerships among universities, government, and nongovernmental organizations. Tere is also an urgent needto incorporate more extensive assessments of local population genetics into management plans, and to establish prioritiesamong protected populations to ensure they have the habitat they need to expand to sizes which can provide some guaranteefor their long-term health and survival.

Te future of muriquis looks more promising today than it did a quarter century ago, but it is still, by no means, secure.Our task for the next 25 years is clear.

References

Aguirre, A. C. 1971. O mono Brachyteles arachnoides (E. Geoffroy). Situao Atual da Espcie no Brasil. Academia Brasileirade Cincias, Rio de Janeiro.

Coimbra-Filho, A. F. 1972. Mamferos ameaados de extino no Brasil. In: Espcies da Fauna Brasileira Ameaadas de Extin-o, Academia Brasileira de Cincias(ed.), pp.13 98. Academia Brasileira de Cincias, Rio de Janeiro.

Galindo-Leal, C. and Cmara, I. G. (eds.). 2003. State of the Hotspots: Te Atlantic Forest of South America. Island Press,Washington, DC.

Myers, N., Mittermeier, R. A., Mittermeier, C. G., Fonseca, G. A. B. and Kent, J. 2000. Biodiversity hotspots for conserva-tion priorities. Nature, Lond. 403: 853 858.

Paglia, A. P. 2005. Panorama geral da fauna ameaada de extino no Brasil. In: Lista da Fauna Brasileira Ameaada deExtino Incluindo a Lista das Quase Ameaadas e Deficientes em Dados, A. B. M. Machado, C. Soares Martins andG. M. Drumond (eds.), pp.17 22. Fundao Biodiversitas, Belo Horizonte.

Kleiman, D. G. and Rylands, A. B. (eds.). 2002. Lion amarins: Biology and Conservation. Smithsonian Institution Press,Washington, DC.

Strier, K. B. 1993/1994. Viability analyses of an isolated population of muriqui monkeys (Brachyteles arachnoides): implica-tions for primate conservation and demography. Primate Conserv. (14/15): 43 52.

Strier, K. B., Mendes, S. L., Boubli, J. P. and Dias, L. G. 2006. Te northern murqiui, Brachyteles hypoxanthus(Kuhl, 1820).In: Primates in Peril: Te Worlds 25 Most Endangered Primates, 2004 2006, R. A Mittermeier, C. Valladares-Pdua,

A. B. Rylands, A. A. Eudey, . M. Butynski, J. U. Ganzhorn, R. Kormos, J. M. Aguiar, and S. Walker (eds.), pp.10, 23.Primate Conserv. (20): 1 28.

Valle, C. M. C., Santos, I. B., Alves, M. C., Pinto, C. A. and Mittermeier, R. A. 1984. Algumas observaes sobre o com-portamento do mono (Brachyteles arachnoides) em ambiente natural (Fazenda Montes Claros, Municpio de Caratinga,Minas Gerais, Brasil). In: Primatologia no Brasil, M. . de Mello (ed.), pp.271 283. Sociedade Brasileira de Primatologia,Braslia.

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DIRECIVES FOR HE CONSERVAION OF HE NORHERN MURIQUI, BRACHYTELESHYPOXANTHUSPRIMAES, AELIDAE

Srgio L. Mendes, Fabiano R. de Melo, Jean P. Boubli, Luiz G. Dias 4, Karen B. Strier5 ,Luiz Paulo S. Pinto6 , Valeria Fagundes, Braz Cosenza and Paulo De Marco Jr 7

1Departamento de Cincias Biolgicas, CCHN, Universidade Federal do Esprito Santo, Vitria, Esprito Santo, Brazil, andInstituto de Pesquisas da Mata Atlntica (IPEMA), Vitria, Esprito Santo, Minas Gerais, Brazil, e-mail: 2Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais Carangola, Minas Gerais, Brazil3Department of Anthropology, Te University of Auckland, New Zealand4Fundao Biodiversitas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, and Te ropical Ecological Assessment and Monitoring (EAM)project (CI / UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil5Department of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA6Conservao Internacional (CI Brasil), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil7Universidade Federal de Gois, Goinia, Gois, Brazil

Abstract

Tere are two species of muriqui, Brachyteles the northern muriqui (B. hypoxanthus) and the southern muriqui (B. arach-noides). Te northern muriqui is the most endangered of the two. Te species originally occurred through most of the Atlan-tic forest in the south of the state of Bahia, eastern Minas Gerais, and south central Esprito Santo. Hunting and widespreadloss of its native forest means that today just a few small and isolated populations remain, with poor chances of survivalin the long term. Currently the northern muriqui can be found in 12 places, six on private land, three in state protected,and three in federal protected areas. Combined, these areas total about 160,000 ha and a minimum known number of855 individuals. Te known population has increased significantly in the last five years, but the total is still very small andfragmented for long-term viability no single population exceeds 500. In this article we report on the areas where they areknown to occur, the main threats to them, and the conservation measures that have been proposed to avoid the prematureextinction of the species.

Key Words primates, Brachyteles, conservation, Atlantic forest, Brazil

Introduction

Muriquis are endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic forest, oc-curring in a number of forest types, from the humid coastalformations of the Serra do Mar to the semideciduous for-

ests inland in the states of So Paulo and Minas Gerais,extending from the south of the state of Bahia to northernParan (Aguirre, 1971). wo species are recognized thesouthern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides) and the north-ern muriqui (B. hypoxanthus) differentiated by the pres-ence of a vestigial pollex and spotty pigmentation on theface and perineum in B. hypoxanthus(Aguirre, 1971; Ry-lands et al., 2000; Groves, 2001).

Te range of the northern muriqui (B. hypoxanthus) coversthe Atlantic forest of the states of Minas Gerais, Esprito

Santo and Bahia, excluding the lowland forests in the ex-treme south of Bahia and northern Esprito Santo. Accord-ing to Aguirre (1971), the northern limit to its range wasprobably the Rio Jequiri basin, which flows into the Baade odos os Santos, and including the forests of the rightbank of the Rio Paraguau. Te southern limit is more

poorly defined, but it probably extended to the Serra daMantiqueira, in southern Minas Gerais, near to the stateboundaries with Rio de Janeiro and So Paulo.

Almost all of the information we have on the ecology,

behavior, reproduction and demography of the northernmuriqui comes from a single population at the CaratingaBiological Station (Reserva Particular do Patrimnio NaturalFeliciano Miguel Abdala), Minas Gerais. Tere, muriquishave been systematically monitored and researched since1982 (Fonseca, 1985; Strier, 1987a, 1987b, 1993/1994,1999, 2000; Strier et al., 2002, 2006).

Te extinction of the muriqui throughout a large part of itsrange is a result of the destruction of its forests and, with itslarge size, hunting (Aguirre, 1971; Mittermeier et al., 1987;

Lane, 1990). Te Atlantic forest, originally extending formore than 1,300,000 km along the Brazilian coast, hasbeen reduced to fragments that today total a mere 7.5%of its original cover (Myers et al., 2000). Te populationgrowth rate of the muriqui is at best slow (Strier, 1996)contributing to its vulnerability to extinction. Its capacity

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to use secondary forests, even those in relatively early suc-cessional stages, however, has allowed for the survival, andeven recovery, of small, isolated populations. Eliminatingthe causes of decline such as hunting and epidemic dis-eases, muriqui populations can grow and thrive in regener-ating, remnant forests.

Protected Areas for the Northern MuriquiTe northern muriqui is today known to survive in 12 lo-calities, six on private land, three in state protected areas,and three in federal protected areas (able 1, Fig. 1.). Te12 areas total approximately 160,000 ha, providing forestfor at least 855 individuals. Although, the numbers of wildmuriquis known to be surviving have increased consider-ably in the last five years, the total population is still small,and no single population is considered to be viable in thelong-term, none even close to 500 or more in size. Here wedescribe each of 12 known populations and discuss their

conservation status.

1. Alto CaririTis forest, of about 18,000 ha, is in the extreme north-east of Minas Gerais, extending across the border with thestate of Bahia (1624'S, 4003'W). It has been identifiedas of high priority for biodiversity conservation, and boththe State Forestry Institute of Minas Gerais (Instituto Es-tadual de Florestas MG) and the Brazilian Institute forthe Environment (Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente edos Recursos Naturais Renovveis IBAMA) are consider-

ing the creation of a protected area there. Te vegetationis predominantly dense evergreen forest; much of it wellpreserved, even though some areas have suffered selectivelogging. Alto Carir takes in parts of the municipalities ofSanta Maria do Salto, in Minas Gerais, and Guaratinga, in

Bahia. At least seven muriquis were seen there, but due tothe large size of the forest (in relative terms) it is probablethere are many more, and a census is needed to determinethe exact size of the population (Mendes et al., 2004). Tecreation of protected areas is the major priority for thisregion.

2. Mata Escura Biological ReserveTe Mata Escura Biological Reserve covers some50,890 ha in the municipalities of Jequitinhonha and

Almenara, in the Rio Jequitinhonha valley, Minas Gerais(1620'S, 4100'W). wo muriquis were seen there in

April 1999 at the headwaters of a stream called CrregoDuas Barras (Melo et al., 2002). Tree were seen there on asubsequent occasion, but in 2000 a second group of about15 muriquis was located along the banks of the CrregoMata Escura (Melo, 2004). Tis group was later found tohave 25 members. It is possible that further groups will befound in other valleys in the reserve. Te Crrego Duas

Barras has about 1,500 ha of forest in the municipalityof Jequitinhonha, and the Mata Escura valley has about1,000 ha. Te principal threats are fire, hunting, selectivelogging, and unregulated and destructive tourism. Tepriority measures for the implementation of the biologi-cal reserve include building some physical infrastructure,increasing the policing of the area, resolving landownershipand indemnities, and counting, mapping and studying themuriqui groups.

3. Fazenda Crrego de Areia

Tere is about 450 ha of seasonal semideciduous forestat the Fazenda Crrego de Areia. It is near the transitionzone of the Cerrado and Atlantic forest (1826'S, 4225'W,altitude 388 805 m above sea level), in the municipality ofPeanha, Minas Gerais. Te farm is privately owned, and

Table 1. Confirmed populations of the northern muriqui*.

# Locality State Owner Area (ha) Minimum population

1 Alto Cariri MG/BA Private 18,000 7

2 Mata Escura Biological Reserve MG IBAMA 50,890 28

3 Fazenda Crrego de Areia MG Private 494 13

4 Rio Doce State Park MG IEF-MG 35,976 124

5 Caratinga Biological Station (RPPN Feliciano Miguel Abdala) MG Private 957 226

6 Augusto Ruschi Biological Reserve and vicinity ES IBAMA 3,573 14

7 Santa Maria de Jetib ES Private +2,000 84

8 Fazenda Esmeralda MG Private 44 3

9 RPPN Mata do Sossego MG Fundao Biodiversitas 180 41

10 Capara National Park ES IBAMA 31,853 82

11 Serra do Brigadeiro State Park MG IEF-MG 13,210 226

12 Ibitipoca State Park MG IEF-MG 1,488 7

Total 158,665 855

*Data from October 2005.BA = Bahia, MG = Minas Gerais, ES = Esprito Santo, IBAMA = Brazilian Institute for the Environment, IEF-MG = Minas Gerais State ForestryInstitute.In Santa Maria de Jetib the area (+2,000 ha) encompasses a group of 13 partially isolated forest fragments.Te muriqui population of Ibitipoca is largely in forest fragments outside the state park.

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about 230 km from the state capital, Belo Horizonte. Teforest is surrounded by coffee plantations and cattle pas-ture. Te main threats are fire and selective logging. Hirschet al. (2002) registered 13 muriquis there in 2001. Prioritymeasures for this area include a monitoring program for thefew muriquis remaining on the farm, the provision of in-centives for less harmful uses of the soil (organic cultivation

and agroforestry, for example), and the creation of a privatenatural heritage reserve (Reserva Particular do PatrimnioNatural RPPN) to protect the remaining forest patch.

4. Rio Doce State ParkTe Rio Doce Park covers parts of the municipalities of Mar-liria, imteo and Dionsio, in Minas Gerais (4238'W

Figure 1. Historical and current records of the northern muriqui. Muriquis occur in Itatiaia National Park (#13), but the species has yetto be confirmed there.

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and 4828'W, 1945'S and 1930'S). It is one of the mostimportant remnants of Atlantic forest in the entire state,with 35,976.43 ha, limited to the north by the Rio Piraci-caba, to the east by the Rio Doce, and to the south and westby extensive eucalyptus plantations and cattle pasture. Pastsurveys have indicated a very low population density for themuriquis (Hirsch, 1995). However, studies in recent yearshave shown that there are at least 12 groups there, totalinga minimum of 124 individuals (Dias et al., 2005). Despitethe considerable infrastructure in the park for fire detec-tion, big forest fires continue to be the greatest threat tothe wildlife there. Hunting is also still significant, especiallyin the north of the park, close to large urban centers, andalong the 22-km road which bisects the park, connectingPingo Dgua to imteo. Long-term measures for actionin the park include research on the ecology and behavior ofthe muriqui groups there, resolution of landownership andindemnities, improved policing, and the upgrading of themunicipal fire brigade to combat the forest fires, besides a

broad environmental awareness and education program forthe communities, farms and towns around the park.

5. Caratinga Biological Station Reserva Particular doPatrimnio Natural Feliciano Miguel Abdala (EBC/RPPN-FMA )Te privately-owned, semideciduous, 957-ha forest of theEBC/RPPN-FMA is in the municipality of Caratinga inMinas Gerais (1950'S, 4150'W). It is mostly secondary,in different states of succession, surrounded by pasture andcoffee plantations. In 2001, the forest was turned into the

Private Natural Heritage Reserve Feliciano Miguel Abdala(RPPN-FMA). Te ecology, behavior, reproduction, anddemography of the largest of the groups there (Grupo doMato) have been studied consistently since 1982 (Strier etal., 2002). It has more than tripled in size in 20 years, from22 to more than 70 individuals, due to low mortality andhigh fecundity, and the increase in births and survival ofoffspring. Te same growth evidently occurred in a secondgroup (Grupo do Ja) that had about 18 individuals inthe early 1980s, but numbered 73 in 1999 (Strier et al.,2002). In January of 2005, the muriqui population at the

EBC/RPPN-FMA reached 226 individuals, in four mixedgroups of 37 to 77 and a group of eight males that associ-ates with two of the mixed groups (Strier et al., 2006). Be-sides the long-term studies coordinated by Karen B. Strier,

Jean. P. Boubli has been leading a project supported bythe nationwide Project for the Conservation and Sustain-able Use of Brazilian Biological Diversity (Projeto de Con-servao e Utilizao Sustentvel de Diversidade BiolgicaBrasileira PROBIO)of the Ministry of the Environment(MMA), coordinated through the Instituto Drades. Teaims of the PROBIO/MMA project are (1) to synthesize

our understanding of the ecology ofBrachyteles, mainly ofthose at the EBC/RPPN-FMA, so as to develop a globalperspective that can support decisions and plans for theconservation of muriquis throughout their geographicrange, (2) to set up a pilot project for the recuperation ofdegraded areas, promoting their return to forest habitat for

the muriquis at the EBC/RPPN-FMA, and (3) to formu-late a proposal to expand forest recuperation and naturalhabitat conservation to areas neighboring the EBC/RPPN-FMA, that will allow for conditions to create wildlife cor-ridors to support a metapopulation of muriqui groups ex-tending across the region. Future measures that we suggestinclude a more intensive biomonitoring of the population,habitat restoration with a view also to provide connectivitywith forest fragments on neighboring farms, and the syn-thesis of a formal action plan for the RPPN.

6. Augusto Ruschi Biological ReserveIn the municipality of Santa eresa, Esprito Santo, thethen Nova Lombardia Biological Reserve was created byDecree number 87.589 of 20 September 1982 (1945'Sand 2000'S, 4027'W and 4038'W). Te reserve is3,573 ha of dense montane evergreen gorest (FlorestaOmbrfila Densa Montana), on very high relief with steepslopes, valleys and rocky outcrops, at altitudes that range

from 780 m to 1,050 m above sea level (Brasil, 2007).Aguirre (1971) recorded the presence of muriquis there,estimating about 150 180 individuals. Visiting the reserve,Mittermeier et al. (1987) only heard vocalizations, but wereable to confirm a minimum of 10 individuals through re-ports of sightings by the park guards. Pinto et al. (1993)found two groups there, each of four to seven individuals.Te only information we have had since then that indi-cates the continued presence of muriquis comes from thepark guards. With the lack of more precise information, wecan only indicate a population of about 10. In April 2005,

Vieira and Mendes (2005) reported another group of fourmuriquis in a privately-owned forest near to the biologi-cal reserve, suggesting that the reserve and the neighboringforests have more muriquis than we have suspected to date.Suggested actions: a detailed census of the population,intensified policing of the reserve, and the development ofan environmental awareness and education program for thebuffer zone.

7. Santa Maria de JetibSanta Maria de Jetib is a municipality in the central, mon-

tane region of the state of Esprito Santo. Te municipalcapital is 2002'S and 4041'W. It lies in a geomorphologi-cal formation known as the Crystalline Complex, with alti-tudes ranging from 600 to 1,200 m, in the phytogeograph-ic domain of montane and submontane Atlantic forest. Teregion was colonized in the 19th century by European im-migrants, many from what was then Pomerania, establish-ing a system of small farms and family agriculture. Despitethe intense fragmentation of the forests in the region, about30 to 40% still has native forest in middle to advancedstages of succession. Te situation in the municipality of

Santa Maria de Jetib is unusual in that the muriquis aresurviving in small forest fragments of 60 to 350 ha, because,it would seem, the human population of the region has notradition of hunting, and frowns upon anybody who does.Te muriquis have been found in at least 13 forest frag-ments throughout the entire municipality of Santa Maria

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de Jetib, with a minimum population estimated at 84 in-dividuals (Mendes et al., 2005). Te number of muriquisseen in these fragments varies from one to 16. Te solitaryindividuals seen are females, and solitary females have beenseen even in fragments with groups of muriquis. Reportsof muriquis occurring in another 11 fragments have yet tobe confirmed but suggest a total population of more than100 individuals. Suggested actions: Further surveys andcensuses in the region, development of an environmentaleducation program, promotion of ecotourism, develop-ment of a program to carry out studies necessary for popu-lation management, studies of dispersal using field data andspatially-explicit models, work towards the creation of pro-tected areas, and help promote socio-economic activitiescompatible with biodiversity conservation.

8. Fazenda Esmeralda, Rio Casca, Minas GeraisTe only forest fragment of the Fazenda Esmeralda thatstill has muriquis is 44 ha. Te forest, about 30 km north

of the town of Rio Casca, is seasonal and semideciduousand surrounded by monocultures and pasture. On the topof a small hill, the maximum altitude is 480 m above sealevel. Te forest has suffered a long history of depreda-tion and disturbance during the economic cycles drivenby coffee and maize and, most recently, by sugar-cane, be-sides selective logging for timber and charcoal during the1960s and 70s. A few sparse forest fragments remain on thefarm, isolated by crops and open fields. Te fragment con-taining the muriquis is a mosaic of different successionalstages, and dense in lianas. Te first record of their occur-

rence there was provided by Aguirre (1971), who indicated7 8 individuals. Subsequent studies on the single groupfrom 1983 to 2003 witnessed a decline in the populationfrom 18 to just three: two adult males and an adult female,all old (Melo et al., 2005). Te population was consideredno longer viable, and in 2003 the Committee for the Con-servation and Management of the Muriqui recommendedthat they be removed and taken into captivity. Te mainthreats to the muriquis have been hunting, forest fires,selective logging, predation and harassment by farm dogsand, besides, the very small size of the forest. Suggested

action: capture and remove the remaining muriquis andincorporate them into a captive breeding program.

9. RPPN Mata do SossegoTe Mata do Sossego Private Natural Heritage Reserve(RPPN) is in the municipality of Simonsia (4205'W,2004'S). Although the registered area for the RPPN is180 ha, there are forests around it which form a singleblock of forest of about 800 ha. Use of the soil around thereserve is mainly dedicated to coffee plantations, and themajor threat to the muriquis comes from fires set in the dry

season by hunters. In 1984, the population was estimatedto be about 21 individuals (Mittermeier et al., 1987). Pet-roni and Steinmetz (2000) indicated a minimum numberof 20, and the most recent census counted a group of 41(Dias et al., 2005). Suggested actions: a long-term studyon their ecology and behavior; demographic monitoring of

the muriquis in the reserve; negotiation with the landown-ers to consider the creation of further private reserves orthe acquisition of the forested areas; establishment of forestcorridors; population management.

10. Capara National ParkTe park extends across the state border of Esprito Santoand Minas Gerais in a montane region, part of the Serra daMantiqueira (2019' and 2037'S, 4143' and 4153'W).Te park is 31,853 ha, 60% (18,200 ha) of which is insouthwestern Esprito Santo, and the rest is in Minas Gerais.Predominantly montane, vegetation types include denseevergreen forest, montane forest, semideciduous seasonalforest and high altitude grassland (campos de altitude). Teoccurrence of muriquis there was reported by Mittermeieret al. (1987) based on information from the park guards ofa group of at least 12. Further research is underway that isindicating the presence of muriquis in nine locations onthe Esprito Santo side of the park. Tey have been con-

firmed for four of the valleys: Vale do Ribeiro Calado,Vale do Crrego Jacutinga, Vale do Crrego Santa Marta,and Pedra do Faco. In the first of these, there are at leasttwo groups, with a minimum population of 40 individu-als, seen at altitudes of 1,000 to 1,800 m above sea level.Muriquis have been seen 18 times in the Vale do Jacutinga,indicating the presence of one group with a minimum sizeof 42. We dont know the number of muriquis in othervalleys. Te data from the Capara National Park are stillpreliminary, and suggest the population may be very muchlarger. Worrying, however, are the signs of hunters inside

the park. Te hunting of muriquis was reported in the parka few years ago. Suggested actions: carry out a systematiccensus of the entire park; set up an environmental educa-tion program; and invest in improving the policing of thepark in the part on the Esprito Santo side.

11. Serra do Brigadeiro State ParkTe Serra do Brigadeiro State Park in southern MinasGerais is 13,210 ha. It has a perimeter of 156.9 km, andaltitudes range from 1,000 to 2,000 m above sea level(2033' to 2100'S; 4240' to 4020'W). Te forest there is

fragmented. Te majority is seasonal semideciduous forest,but there are some areas above 1,400 m altitude that showcharacteristics of dense montane evergreen forest. Recordsfrom the last two years show that there are at least sevengroups of muriquis, and a minimum population of 226(Dias et al., 2005). Te principle threats include forest fires,hunting, selective logging, squatters, unregulated tourism,and subsistence cattle-farming. Suggested actions: moreregular and systematic monitoring of the muriqui popula-tion; resolution of landownership issues; strengthening ofthe policing of the park; improvement in capacity to pre-

vent and combat forest fires; and the development of anenvironmental education program.

12. Ibitipoca State ParkTis park, of 1,488 ha, lies between the plateaus of Itatiaiaand Andrelndia (2140' to 2143'S, 4352' to 4354'W,

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altitudes 1,050 1,784 m above sea level). Te predomi-nant vegetation is high altitude grassland, with galleryforest along the rivers and streams. In 1995, Fontes et al.(1996) saw a female muriqui three times in a forest of 80ha in the center of the park. In 2002, Mendes et al. (2003)saw a group of nine in a small forest called the Mata dosLuna on the property of Carlos Repetto near to the north-ern boundary of the park. Tey were also told of a groupin another area, aptly called the Mata dos Monos. Oliveira(2003) also mentioned a group of 10 muriquis in a forestneighboring the park, believed to be the same as was seenby Mendes et al. (2003). Ferraz et al. (2005), however, in-dicated that the group consisted of only seven individuals.Te vegetation found in most of the park is not ideal formuriquis, and it is evident the preservation of the muriquiin this region will depend on protecting the forest fragmentson the properties around the park. Te priority, therefore,for this area is to carry out a more precise and systematiccensus of the muriquis, and to adopt measures for the pro-

tection of the forest fragments and to increase the connec-tions among them. Te presence of solitary females in asmall fragment of forest in the park indicates that there isa lack of opportunities for dispersal and reproduction else-where. Suggested actions: a census of muriquis around thepark; expansion of the park to include neighboring forestfragments; the creation of private natural heritage reserves(RPPNs); and the promotion of conservation measures bythe local landowners and farmers.

13. Itatiaia National Park

Te Itatiaia National Park (28,155 ha) is in southern MinasGerais, in the municipalities of Alagoa, Bocaina de Minas,and Itamonte, extending across state border into southeastRio de Janeiro in the municipalities of Resende and Itatiaia(2216' to 2228'S, 4434' to 4442'W). It is the oldestnational park in Brazil (1937), located in the Serra da Man-tiqueira, with altitudes ranging from 650 to 2,780 m abovesea level. Five vegetation types have been described in thepark: dense montane, high montane, and mixed evergreenforest, seasonal, semideciduous forest, and high altitudegrasslands at elevations above 1,600 m. Te main threats

to the fauna and flora of the park are fires, destructive tour-ism, illegal clearings and construction, and palm heart col-lectors. It has not been possible to clearly define whetherthe muriquis there are northern or southern. Te very fewsightings have not even allowed for a minimum populationestimate. Tis makes a thorough census of the park and itsmuriquis a very high priority. Suggested actions: a censusto determine the species occurring there; to map the groupsand count their numbers; set up a long-term monitoringprogram for the groups; and resolve issues still pendingconcerning landownership and domain.

Priority Actions

A Population and Habitat Viability Assessment (PHVA)workshop for the muriqui was held in Belo Horizontein May 1998 (Rylands et al., 1998), and in 2002, the

Brazilian Institute for the Environment (IBAMA) set upthe Committee for the Conservation and Management ofthe Muriqui (Oliveiraet al. 2005). From 2001 to 2003 theProject for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Brazil-ian Biological Diversity (Projeto de Conservao e UtilizaoSustentvel da Diversidade Biolgica Brasileira PROBIO),of the Ministry of the Environment (MMA), approved fi-nancing for three projects for the conservation and man-agement of the northern muriqui. wo important meetingsresulted from this, the first in January 2003 in Santa Mariade Jetib, Esprito Santo, and the second in March 2004 inBelo Horizonte. Tey provided the information and direc-tives for the elaboration of a management plan for the spe-cies. As such, the following discussion of the priority meas-ures for the conservation of muriquis is the result of thethoughtfulness, dedication and expertise of the numerousinstitutions and people who took part in these meetings.

Monitoring: Surveys and censuses

Recent studies have resulted in the discovery of new popu-lations of muriquis. In the last 10 years, our estimate of thetotal population of the species has increased from about300 to at least 855, and from seven to 12 localities. We owethis to more systematic surveys and to new technologiessuch as the use of playback playing recordings of theirvocalizations in the forest so as to increase the chances oflocating them. New found areas in eastern Minas Gerais,and the montane regions of Esprito Santo and Bahia re-quire further surveys, and we recommend GIS modelingtools to orient and prioritize the areas to be surveyed.

Monitoring and conservation status assessmentCurrently there are research programs on, and conservationinitiatives for, muriquis being carried out in six locations,four in Minas Gerais (RPPN Feliciano Miguel Abdala,RPPN Mata do Sossego, and Serra do Brigadeiro and RioDoce state parks) and two in Esprito Santo (Capara Na-tional Park and Santa Maria de Jetib). Tese studies andinitiatives cover about 90% of the entire population ofB. hypoxanthus. Continuity for these projects is vital. Tedefinition of a basic protocol for the collection of ecologi-

cal and behavioral data is important to allow us to comparethe results of the programs in the different areas; essentialif we are to evaluate their contributions and effi cacy in im-proving the status of the species. Initially we need to haveestimates of the total population and some definition of thepopulation structure in the localities where long-term stud-ies have been set up. Te first is possible with the knowl-edge that we already have, provided that some additionalinformation can be obtained as outlined below. An under-standing of population structure and demography will bepossible based on the few groups which have been subject

to long-term studies. It is vital that some guarantees be putinto place for the continuity of these long-term studies.We suggest that the six localities mentioned above be tar-geted for funding to this end. One or two groups should beclosely monitored for their social structure in each of thesix areas either continuously or at least through detailed

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counts every five years. Te total population, of course,should also be closely monitored over the long-term, withcensuses every five years. Monitoring the total populationwill allow us to track population changes, and monitor-ing population structure and demography will allow us tounderstand the nature of the changes. Te causes can onlybe tracked by understanding the availability of resourcesin terms of food and habitat, and the threats to them bothindirect (forest degradation and loss) and direct (hunting).Changes in habitat availability can be assessed every fiveyears using satellite imagery, and monitoring the quantityand quality of the remaining forests in the areas where themuriquis still occur.

Genetic studiesTe analysis of intra- and inter-population genetic diversityis the first step to identifying what we may consider evolu-tionarily significant units; genetically distinct populationswhich need to be protected. Currently there are genetic

samples available from only three of the twelve knownnorthern muriqui populations; all in the DNA Bank of theDepartment of Biological Sciences of the Federal Univer-sity of Esprito Santo. Of the three, two have been subject-ed to genetic studies using a mitochondrial DNA marker,demonstrating genetic differences between the muriquisof Santa Maria de Jetib and the EBC/RPPN-FMA (Paes,2005). Te identification of variable genetic loci willprovide a useful means to measure genetic variation andpopulation differentiation, and allow for an understand-ing of the evolutionary relationships which need to be

conserved. As such, we consider that a knowledge of thegenetic profiles of all of the known muriqui populations,using at least two genetic markers (one mitochondrial, theother nuclear), is vital for the conservation and manage-ment of the species. Tis is also vital when using the geneticprofiles of individual muriquis to guide translocations andreintroductions whenever they are deemed expedient. TeLaboratory of Animal Genetics of the Federal University ofEsprito Santo has developed a protocol for the extractionof fecal DNA in Brachytelesthat is already being applied ingenetic studies of the muriquis at Santa Maria de Jetib and

the Caratinga Biological Station (Chaves et al., 2006). Wepropose the establishment of a single protocol for geneticstudies using fecal material for all of the muriqui popula-tions (Fagundes, 2005).

Parasitological studiesParasitological studies can provide a good understanding ofthe state of health of the muriquis, and monitoring para-site loads in the different populations is an essential ele-ment for their conservation and management (Stuart andStrier, 1995; Santos et al., 2004a, 2004b). Important too

is to monitor the muriquis for the presence of parasites ofhumans and domestic animals. Te northern muriqui islargely limited now to forest fragments, with more or lessfrequent intrusion and interference by people and their ani-mals, both by their presence and the pollution of the streamswhich run through them, where muriquis sometimes drink

(Santos et al., 2004a, 2004b). Te disease risks are high,making frequent parasitological monitoring a must. Tiscan only be done by institutions which have experience inthe collection and identification of primate parasites. Withthe appropriate protocols for collection and preservation,however, all researchers and field teams should carry outcampaigns for the collection of fecal material (systematical-ly to allow for the detection of any trends), and send themto appropriate participating laboratories. Ideal would be theestablishment of a muriqui parasite data bank, accessible toall who work on the species. When infection with humanor domestic animal parasites is detected, measures shouldbe taken which would include health and environmentaleducation for the local communities, reducing or, better,eliminating the sources of contamination of the streams,and stopping domestic animals entering the forest.

Hormonal monitoringTe hormonal studies of the muriquis at the EBC/RPPN-

FMA by Strier and Ziegler (1997, 2000; also Strier et al.,2003; Strier, 2005) have contributed enormously to ourunderstanding of the reproductive strategies of these pri-mates, of immense utility for wise management and con-servation. Te data they can obtain allow us to assess thereproductive potential of the small populations, besidesproviding insights regarding stress levels, experienced bythe muriquis for whatever reasons. As hormonal analysesare expensive, however, widespread monitoring is impracti-cal in the short term, but they can provide significant in-sights concerning questions about the reproductive health

of specific populations and groups. For example, we canstudy the variation in cortisol levels in different muriquipopulations to understand how they may relate to ecologi-cal or demographic stress.

Population managementSome of the muriqui populations are very small, andprobably not viable in the long term. Tis is the case forthe Fazenda Crrego de Areia, Ibitipoca State Park, theFazenda Esmeralda, and a number of fragments at SantaMaria de Jetib. It is possible the viability of some can be

maintained, if only minimally, with some sort of popu-lation management, such as the introduction of animalsfrom elsewhere (reintroduction or translocation). Solitaryfemales have been found in forest fragments in Santa Mariade Jetib. Tey have dispersed from their natal groups and,for lack of other groups to join, end up remaining alone.In these cases, we should consider translocating muriquisfrom other groups to join them females not reproducingare a significant loss to a species so threatened. Te man-agement of wild populations is a complex task, requiringcaution in terms of the medical and genetic health, and the

social stability of the animals involved.Populational viability simulationTe risks of local extinction need to be assessed using thepopulation viability models now available. It is possible topredict the persistence of the populations based on a variety

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of parameters, and also to model the basic structure for themetapopulation for the purposes of management planning.Strier (1993/1994), for example, assessed the persistencelikelihoods of the muriquis at the EBC/RPPN-FMA over100 years, using the program VOREX, and concludedthat the probability of extinction was low. Te chances oferror are there, however, especially as the program used onlythe first 12 years of data from the site. Te analysis showedthat the carrying capacity (area of forest available) was themain factor limiting population growth. Running a similarmodel for the muriqui population at Santa Maria de Jetib,P. De Marco Jr., using the same biological parameters asthose of the simulations made by Strier (1993/1994) butincluding the real initial population sizes of each area,found that the persistence probabilities were higher than95% over 100 years in forests of more than 120 ha. Tesimulation also indicated that if hunting pressure, endo-gamic depression, and the probabilities of catastrophes arelow, the population tends to grow and reach stable levels

quite quickly. Even if the parameters used are to someextent unreal, the simulations are of enormous value in de-fining management priorities, and should be done for allthe existing populations being studied.

Captive breeding programTe establishment and maintenance of a captive breed-ing program for muriquis should be seen as an importantmeasure complementary to efforts for their conservationin situ (Pissinatti et al., 1998; Pissinatti, 2005). Te aimwould be to rescue the muriquis being kept as pets and

in illegal menageries and zoos, as well as solitary femalesin isolated forest fragments otherwise lacking a reproduc-tive future. Isolated groups too small to be viable couldalso contribute as founders. Tere needs, of course, to beinstitutions with the conditions in terms of both person-nel and infrastructure to receive these animals and to col-laborate in a formal breeding program. For B. hypoxanthus,the Rio de Janeiro Primate Center (Centro de PrimatologiadoRio de Janeiro CPRJ/FEEMA), the first institution tobreed muriquis in captivity (Coimbra-Filho et al., 1993;Pissinatti, 2005), and the Belo Horizonte Zoo (Fundao

Zoo-Botnica de Belo Horizonte) are already fully capableof initiating a program of this sort. Te principal aims ofthese institutions with the capacity to maintain muriquis incaptivity would be rehabilitation and research.

Environmental awareness and educationDue to its charm, its size (the largest of the Neotropicalmonkeys), and the fact that it is endemic, the muriqui is aflagship species for the conservation of the Atlantic forest(Valladares-Padua et al., 2003; Pinto et al., 2005). It canbe used very effectively for the call to arms to conserve

a location or promote conservation actions in a region.Te rural communities where muriquis still survive inter-fere to a greater or lesser degree just with their presenceand their use of natural resources, and in the case of parksand reserves, tourists and visitors do the same. And there isstill clandestine hunting in many of the muriqui localities.

Awareness campaigns and environmental education pro-grams are vital, and networking is important to exchangeexperiences, success and failures in what are by their nature,extremely creative initiatives, consistently requiring renewaland modification. Another important aspect is advertisingthe plight of the muriquis and their forests with all the richpropaganda material and gadgets available today. Costs canbe reduced if the different partners share the material theyneed. One model of a muriqui -shirt for all, for example.

A third line of action is working with the media, reachinga broader public, and more directly influencing the opin-ions and attitudes of the local and regional communities:something which of course needs careful and measuredplanning so as to instill a lasting and solid appreciation forthe conservation measures that are required not just for themuriquis but for the health of the natural landscapes as awhole, benefiting the people living there.

Socioeconomic alternatives

In many cases the probabilities of the muriquis surviving inthe long term is low; because of their isolation or becauseof the limited forest available to them. Landscape man-agement, providing for the permanence and expansion ofthe forests of the region, along with connectivity betweenthem, is as such vital. Interference in the natural landscaperequires socio-economic measures often sensitive and com-plex. For this reason, the socio-economic realities of all theregions where muriquis occur should be studied so as toobtain the basic understanding of the context and poten-tial for promoting initiatives which will favor biodiversity

conservation. One example is ecotourism and scientifictourism that, when set up appropriately, can provide forincome and livelihoods but with low impacts on the wild-life and forests. Tese activities can even provide incentivesand income for conservation measures such as habitat res-toration. Businesses and sources of livelihoods can becomethe allies, not the enemy, in working for the conservationof the region. Besides its economic contribution, tourism iseducational, making landowners see the value of preservingtheir forests and the muriquis. Small-scale tourism projectsneed to be planned in collaboration with the people study-

ing the muriquis, with clear protocols to minimize theimpact on the muriquis and their forests, avoiding stress tothe animals, disease risks (zoonoses), and the potential forpollution and degradation of their habitats.

Habitat restorationHabitat restoration is clearly an essential measure for themuriqui populations residing in small and isolated forestfragments. As mentioned, socio-economic considerationsare paramount in this case, besides thorough evaluationsof the technical and financial commitments involved, so

as to maximize the benefits to both the muriquis and localcommunities. Studies in the EBC/RPPN-FMA, in SantaMaria de Jetib, Crrego de Areia and the RPPN Mata doSossego, have shown that increasing the habitat available,not just by planting and restoration but by providing cor-ridors to neighboring forest patches, is fundamental for the

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survival of the muriquis. Ample research and preparationhas to be made in each case, however, not just to developthe appropriate reforestation techniques, but taking intoaccount the socio-economic and agropastoral context andvocation of the land and the region.

Integration of resultsWe suggest that a formal information, data-sharing, net-work be established among muriqui researchers and the in-stitutions involved (NGOs and universities, for example).Tis would make the transfer of, and access to, relevantinformation and data more effi cient and agile, and wouldinvolve the commitment of researchers and institutions totake on specific roles in compiling, organizing, and synthe-sizing information for the benefit of all. Te first step wouldbe the integration/connection of various specific data banksalready existing. A researcher or institution would take onthe responsibility for the maintenance of specific sectionsof the overall data bank one on the size and demography

of muriqui populations, another on ecological data, on ge-netic data and analyses, on protected areas, and on regionalsocioeconomics of different muriqui locations, for example.Te data can be classified in two distinct groups one forpublic access through a web site, and another for limitedaccess by qualified researchers and conservationists, mem-bers of a muriqui conservation network.

Institutional Articulation

Any initiative to produce a management strategy for

a threatened endemic species must include collabora-tion and partnerships of the institutions necessarilyinvolved government, non-governmental organizations,teaching and research institutions, and the private sector.It is necessary to secure the enthusiasm of the local andworking communities. Combining forces and expertise,and eliminating duplication of efforts, it is possible todevelop an inclusive approach for the protection of themuriqui with a strong scientific underpinning. A signifi-cant step was the Population and Habitat Viability Analysis(PHVA) workshop (Rylands et al., 1998). Te PHVA gave

rise to the Committee for the Conservation and Manage-ment of the Muriqui (Comit para a Conservao e Manejodo Muriqui), the role of which is to discuss and suggeststrategies for ex situ and in situ conservation of the genus asan advisory body to the Brazilian Institute for the Environ-ment (IBAMA). In 2001, IBAMA created the Center forthe Protection of Brazilian Primates (Centro de Proteo dePrimatas Brasileiros), which also has a most important rolein providing for institutional articulation in relation theconservation of the muriqui. Te Centers mission is thecompilation, management and analysis of relevant infor-

mation concerning Brazilian primates to enable appropri-ate decisions on, and measures for, their conservation.

In recent years, numerous non-governmental organiza-tions have been addressing issues and elaborating globaland regional conservation strategies, focusing on aspects of

landscape ecology and biogeographic patterns for identify-ing priority areas for the conservation of threatened and re-stricted range species (Fundao Biodiversitas, 1998; Con-servation International do Brasil et al., 2000; Brazil, MMA,2002). A number of NGOs have set up partnerships withinthe campaign for Zero Biodiversity Loss, and currentconservation initiatives for the northern muriqui provide agood example. Tey are supported by three subprojects ofthe Ministry of the Environments Project for the Conser-vation and Sustainable Use of Brazilian Biological Diver-sity (Projeto de Conservao Sustentvel da Diversidade Bi-olgica Brasileira PROBIO) coordinated by three NGOs,the Instituto de Pesquisas da Mata Atlntica IPEMA, theFundao Biodiversitas, and the Instituto Drades, in part-nership with other NGOs and public and private institu-tions, all of which have made a commitment to produce acomprehensive action plan for the northern muriqui.

Universities and research institutions have also played a

fundamental role in generating information, in capac-ity building, and in the design and execution of researchand conservation projects for the species. Notable is theUniversity of Wisconsin, which, in partnership with thefederal universities of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and EspritoSanto (UFES), has been supporting studies of the muriquisat the EBC/RPPN-FMA since 1982; the longest-runningof any primate field research program (Strier, 1999, 2005).Te muriqui conservation projects are also contributing toprogress in training researchers in population genetics andits application to conservation biology. Universities and

NGOs are establishing centers for molecular biology asapplied to biodiversity conservation within the geographicrange of the northern muriqui.

It is important to point out the need for integration betweenresearch and in situ conservation with ex situ conservationmeasures, as exemplified in the work of the Rio de JaneiroPrimate Center (CPRJ/FEEMA). In situ conservation ini-tiatives must work together with zoos and other researchcenters to maintain representative sample collections of thegenetic variation of the species ex situ, to allow for future

interventions in depleted wild populations. Informationexchange is fundamental to establish the appropriate part-nerships among the zoos, research centers and universities,both in an outside of Brazil. Institutional articulation hastoo been an essential element of private and public fundsfor species protection.

Besides the PROBIO of the Ministry of the Environmentmentioned above, and the primate conservation projectsfinanced by the Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation,there is also the more recent Program for the Protection

of Treatened Species of the Atlantic Forest (Programa deProteo das Espcies Ameaadas de Extino da Mata Atln-tica Brasileira), a component of the Critical EcosystemsPartnership Fund (CEPF) for biodiversity conservationin the hotspots that have been identified by Conserva-tion International (Myers et al., 2000; Mittermeier et al.,

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2004) a partnership of Conservation International, theGlobal Environment Facility (GEF), the MacArthur Foun-dation, Te World Bank, and the Japanese Government,that promotes alliances among organized communities,NGOs, teaching institutions and the private sector. Tethreatened species program of the CEPF, coordinated bythe Fundao Biodiversitas and Centre for EnvironmentalResearch of the Northeast (

Centro de Pesquisas Ambientaisdo Nordeste), was created to support projects for the protec-tion and management of threatened species in the Atlanticforest, with initial investments of about US$450,000. Tenorthern muriqui received funding for three projects withinthe program. Lastly, the Committee for the Conservationand Management of the Muriqui coordinated by IBAMAhas already approved the creation of a fund to support theconservation ofBrachyteles. Te fund will be managed bythe committee itself, and will strive to obtain both privateand institutional donations from Brazil and overseas (Ol-iveiraet al. 2005).

We have information suffi cient to indicate the measuresnecessary to maximize the chances of the local and regionalpersistence of the northern muriqui populations in the At-lantic forest of Bahia, Esprito Santo and Minas Gerais, butthis will serve for little if we cannot move forward nowand carry them out, combining forces, as we have to, topromote the changes necessary for protection and conser-vation of the species.

Acknowledgments

We are most grateful to E. F. Barbosa, L. S. Moreira, C. L.S. Mendes, B. Coutinho, F. Pontual, the late E. M. Veado,

J. A. Meira Neto, L. C. Bed, and M. M. Gomes for theirhelp. Te work was supported by the Project for the Con-servation and Sustainable Use of Brazilian Biological Di-versity (Projeto de Conservao e Utilizao Sustentvel deDiversidade Biolgica Brasileira PROBIO) of the BrazilianMinistry of the Environment (MMA), the Brazil ScienceResearch Council (Conselho Nacional de DesenvolvimentoCientfico e ecnolgico CNPq), the Gordon & Betty

Moore Foundation, the Zoological Society of San Diego,the Brazilian Institute for the Environment (IBAMA), theState Forestry Institute of Minas Gerais (IEF/MG) (Insti-tuto Estadual de Florestas / Minas Gerais), the FundaoBiodiversitas, the Instituto Drades, the Centro de EstudosEcolgicos e Educao Ambiental (CECO), Bioproteo,Conquista, and imex.

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MURIQUI POPULAIONS REPORED IN HE LIERAURE OVER HE LAS 40 YEARS

Fabiano R. Melo and Luiz G. Dias

Universidade Federal de Gois, Campus Jata, BR-364, Km 192, No. 3.800, Parque Industrial, Jata 75801-615, Gois,Brazil, e-mail: ropical Ecology, Assessment and Monitoring Network Rio Doce, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. AntnioCarlos 6627, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brasil, e-mail:

Abstract

Aguirre (O mono Brachyteles arachnoides (E. Geoffroy). Situao Atual da Espcie no Brasil. Acad. Brasil. Cinc., Rio de Janei-ro, 1971) identified 61 localities for the occurrence of the muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides) in the states of Bahia, EspritoSanto, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, So Paulo and Paran. He estimated a total population of 2,791 3,226 muriquis, con-trasting with a population of about 400,000 he reckoned would have existed in 1500. Accepting the position that there aretwo species, Aguirres (1971) data suggested a maximum of 996 individuals for the northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxan-thus) and about 2,230 for the southern muriqui (B. arachnoides). Current population estimates for the northern muriquihave indicated at least 864 individuals in the wild. Data available for the southern muriqui, suggest a minimum population

of about 1,300. Tese numbers combined approximate to the total population of 2,230 estimated by Aguirre (1971).Further population surveys for muriquis in the states So Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Bahia are urgently needed, along withcomparative studies on their basic ecology, diet and behavior in the different-sized forest fragments and the more extensiveforests. Although stochastic effects could rapidly eliminate the very small isolated populations of the northern muriqui, inlarger forests, persistent threats, such as hunting, could gradually but invidiously reduce those of the southern muriqui.

Key Words primates, muriqui, Brachyteles, population, distribution, conservation, Atlantic forest, Brazil

Introduction

Aguirre (1971) identified 61 localities for the occurrence ofthe muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides) in the states of Bahia,Esprito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, So Pauloand Paran. wenty-eight of them were based on museumspecimens that had precise collection locations. Of these61 localities, Aguirre (1971) considered that muriquiscould still be found in only 30 at the time of his survey:seven in the state of Bahia, seven in Esprito Santo, four inMinas Gerais, six in Rio de Janeiro and six in So Paulo.

Aguirre (1971) had no information on any possible remain-ing populations in Paran. He estimated a total populationof 2,791 3,226 muriquis, contrasting with a populationof about 400,000 he reckoned would have existed in 1500.

Accepting the position that there are two species (Rylandset al., 2000), Aguirres (1971) data suggested a maximumof 996 individuals for the northern muriqui (Brachyteleshypoxanthus) and about 2,230 for the southern muriqui(B. arachnoides).

Approximately 10 years later, Mittermeier et al. (1982)

revisited so

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