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Use of genetic tools to assess predation on reintroduced howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) in Northeastern Argentina

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Abstract

Despite strong support from the media, the reintroduction of animals into natural environments does not always achieve its goal. Alouatta caraya is the primate species facing the greatest hunting pressure due to the illegal pet trade in Argentina. Confiscations of this species are common, as is the voluntary surrender of animals by owners no longer able or willing to care for them. These animals ultimately arrive at rehabilitation centers and, in many cases, are released into natural environments that may differ from the original sites where they were captured. Until recently, the lack of genetic analysis of the individuals involved led to biased relocation decisions. We followed the reintroduction of 12 A. caraya individuals in a protected area (Isla Palacio, Misiones, Argentina). The presence of potential predators such as pumas (Puma concolor) and jaguars (Panthera onca) in this area was confirmed by camera traps, footprints and feces. After the disappearance of four A. caraya at the reintroduction site, we investigated the applicability of genetic assignment tests based on genotypic data to accurately identify predated individuals. Genetic analyses allowed us to determine the predator species (P. onca) and to identify the predated individuals as two of the reintroduced animals. This procedure is promising for identifying the remains of predated individuals, and can contribute to the design of reintroduction policies based on scientific evidence.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Piers Legh and two anonymous reviewers for thoughtful discussions on the subject and valuable comments on earlier drafts of the manuscript. We greatly appreciate the collaboration with the Ministerio de Ecología y Recursos Sustentables de la Provincia de Misiones, specifically Patricia Sandoval and Cristina Buhler, and the rescue centre Güirá-Oga, particularly Silvia Elsegood and Rocio Rodriguez. LO, MC, MK and DC are members of the Carrera de Investigador (CONICET-Argentina). This work was supported by grants PIP 0914 (CONICET), genuine resources raised by the SHDG and grant 20020170100721BA (UBACyT) to Daniel Corach.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Grupo de Investigación en Genética Aplicada (GIGA), Instituto de Biología Subtropical (IBS), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET)-Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM), Nodo Posadas, Jujuy 1745, N3300NFK, Posadas, Misiones, Argentina

    Luciana Inés Oklander

  2. Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología, Biotecnología y Genética, Cátedra de Genética Forense y Servicio de Huellas Digitales Genéticas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica., Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET)-Universidad de Buenos Aires., Junín 956, C1113AAD, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Mariela Caputo

  3. Estación Biológica Corrientes-CCT Nordeste, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Corrientes, Argentina

    Martin Kowalewski & Daniel Corach

  4. Güirá-Oga, Refugio de Animales Silvestres, Fundación de Historia Natural Félix de Azara,, Ruta Nacional N° 12, Km. 1638, Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, Argentina

    Jorge Anfuso

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  1. Luciana Inés Oklander
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  2. Mariela Caputo
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  5. Daniel Corach
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Correspondence to Luciana Inés Oklander.

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Oklander, L.I., Caputo, M., Kowalewski, M. et al. Use of genetic tools to assess predation on reintroduced howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) in Northeastern Argentina. Primates 62, 521–528 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-021-00896-9

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