Primate Conservation Priorities in the Neotropical Region

Abstract

Neotropical primates are found from southern Mexico, through central America and northern South America south as far as southern Brazil and northern Argentina (Fig. 16.1) and, with the exception of Chile and Uruguay, occur in all mainland South and Central American countries and on a few Caribbean islands as well. Sixteen genera and some 65 species are currently recognized, which means that approximately one-third of all living primate species occur in this part of the world. Of these 16 genera and 65 species, we consider two genera, 12 species, and a total of 28 taxa to be already endangered, and several of these are literally on the verge of extinction (Table 16.1). In this paper, we analyze the primate conservation priorities for the Neotropical region by major biogeographic region and by country and then discuss some of the most endangered species in more detail. For the purposes of this paper, we will not consider either vulnerable or rare species (as defined in the IUCN Red Data Book), but only those that are considered to be already endangered. These are the animals of most immediate concern, and they serve quite well to focus conservation activities over the next 5 years.