June/2002

1. INTRODUCTION

The massive aggression endured by the Muriqui (Woolly Spider Monkey) (Brachyteles arachnoides & hypoxanthus) population and its habitat over the last decades has caused its designation as a severely endangered species in both national and international lists.
Besides it being endemic in one of the Earth’s most endangered ecosystems, the Atlantic Coastal Forest, the Muriqui is highly vulnerable to hunting activities and habitat changes, due mostly to its large size, low natural demographics, restricted population distribution and the fact that it inhabits areas with a haphazard social and economic development process (Fonseca et al., 1988).
According to Aguirre (1971), this primate originally inhabited a large portion of the eastern part of Brazil (Southern Bahia, a part of Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais) and part of the Southern Region (São Paulo and a small area in the Northern part of Paraná) in mountain ranges and at altitudes between 1970 and 5000 feet. He also estimated that the original Muriqui population amounted to 400,000 individuals, and that this number had come down to 3,000 animals by the time of the 60s census, with an estimate of only 770 individuals in the State of Rio de Janeiro. This scenario indicates that the likeliness that the Muriqui will disappear in the State of Rio de Janeiro has increased significantly. The PHVA that came out as a result of the 1998 Belo Horizonte seminar did not show any records of the presence of Muriqui in the State. The current population is estimated as 600 individuals in total, which means a decrease of 80% in only 4 decades.
Along with the loss of habitat and the hunting activities, other factors may be impacting the remaining Muriqui population, which can make them even more vulnerable to extinction. According to Strier (2000a), the results of the analyses of the population viability show that those that live in small numbers in large protected forests may become extinct, since this low density may be caused by:
- a trend towards a higher number of male vs. female infants, resulting in lower population growth rates;
- the low frequency of encounters with other groups that limits the opportunities for dispersion and the choices of mates, thus increasing endogamy; and
- the homogeneity of the habitat that may be restricting the food diversity, making those Muriqui more vulnerable to annual fluctuations of the availability of key fruit.

The morphologic, genetic and social diversity detected within the Northern (Minas Gerais & Espírito Santo) and Southern (São Paulo & Rio de Janeiro) Muriqui has led some researchers to identify at least two species of Brachyteles geographically separated (Lemos de Sá et al., 1993). The Northern population, the B. hypoxanthus, has pink and white spotted faces and genitals, and trace thumbs, while the Southern population, the B. arachnoides, presents entirely black faces and genitals e no traces of thumbs (Lemos de Sá & Glander, 1993). It cannot be determined, however, which of these species still exists in the State of Rio de Janeiro, since this State is located within the distribution boundaries.
At the “Population and Habitat Viability for the Muriqui” Workshop (Rylands, et al. 1998), it became clear that any long term efforts to preserve this highly endangered species will require an extensive survey of the remaining population to determine its demographic status and distribution. Preservation plans aimed at protecting endangered species usually start with this kind of survey, which involves determining the current location of the remaining population, identifying the aspects that cause the worst impact on the population in the different areas. Also, any protective actions taken to preserve an animal must consider the situation of each species.

2. RATIONALE

The projections regarding biodiversity are somber, according to Porter (2000). An expert in biodiversity (Peter Raven, Director of the Missouri Botanic Garden) reported that about one to two thirds of all plants, animals and other species might disappear in this century altogether if the current extinction rate, caused mainly by the destruction of their habitats, persists.

Tropical forests are being destroyed and reduced to isolated segments throughout the world, mainly because of the increase of agriculture and cattle raising activities (Bernstein et al., 1976). In Brazil, the Atlantic Coastal Forest that goes from Rio Grande do Norte to Rio Grande do Sul has been exploited and ravaged for years. Mittermeier et al. (1982) considers it one of the most endangered forest ecosystems on Earth. According to Leitão Filho (1994), the Atlantic Coastal Forest is a very heterogeneous forest, where the low similarity found in different surveys shows a restricted distribution in limited areas. Therefore, the fragmentation of any area of the Atlantic Coastal Forest means a loss of diversity. The Atlantic Coastal Forest was recently classified as a “hotspot” area, that is, one of the most vulnerable and endangered ecosystems in the planet.

Besides causing the loss of vegetal diversity, the destruction and fragmentation of the Atlantic Coastal Forest also changes and reduces the animal diversity, to the extent of causing the total extinction of some species in certain areas. The effects of fragmentation on the fauna can be particularly felt in vertebrates, whose environmental demands and lifestyle peculiarities like scarcity and differentiated distribution in an environment (Laurence, 1994) are stronger. Among vertebrates, mammals are considered the most vulnerable to fragmentation, especially because a large number of species are environmentally demanding and specialized in terms of quality of habitat, diet and living area (Wilcox, 1980; Lovejoy et al., 1986).

Considering the increasing destruction of its habitat and the pressure brought by hunting activities, the actual situation of this taxon, especially in Rio de Janeiro, may be even more serious than that of the “mico-leão-dourado” (Leontopithecus rosalia). The latter has at least been granted a preservation program that is helping the species to remain in its habitat.

Being a large and charismatic animal, the Muriqui can easily become a preservation symbol for Brazil, like the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is for China (Mittermeier, 1982). The Muriqui, endemic in the Atlantic Coastal Forest, is the largest non-human primate in the Americas, and one of the 35 critically endangered species on Earth. Besides being a bio-indicator of the quality and preservation of the environment, the Muriqui has a great potential as a flagship species for the preservation of biodiversity, especially for the Atlantic Coastal Forest.

Therefore, we hope that the step-by-step results from this program will develop a structure capable of promoting the preservation of the Muriqui, contributing, at the same time, to the preservation of the Atlantic Coastal Forest biodiversity.

3. OBJECTIVES

To remove the Muriqui (Woolly Spider Monkey) (Brachyteles arachnoides e hypoxanthus) from the endangered animals lists through bio-ecological and social preservation actions capable of assuring its permanence and reproduction in its natural habitat in a sustainable manner.

Bio-ecological actions:

¨ Determine the presence and demographic situation (number and gender & age distribution) of the remaining Muriqui population at the different locations in its original distribution area, including the boundaries;

¨ Analyze the genetic viability of different populations, especially those that present the highest isolation levels, whether from the destruction of fragmentation of its habitat or from the impact of hunting activities, to propose handling actions;

¨ Assess the population viability of the groups identified, to plan the handling of those groups;

¨ Implement a study on the behavioral ecology of the Muriqui in selected areas of presence;

¨ Cooperate with the development of human resources to handle and preserve the fauna;

¨ Study the situation of the biotic and non-biotic aspects of the areas defined as areas of permanence for the primates, including the restoration of the Atlantic Coastal Forest ecosystem when necessary;

¨ Broaden or promote the connection of fragmented areas to enhance support to the isolated population through forest thruways, for example;

¨ Relocate certain individuals, particularly young females, to improve the genetic viability of isolated populations when necessary;

¨ Support/stimulate breeding of the species in captivity at the CPRJ/FEEMA ( Rio de Janeiro Primate Center) to allow individuals to be reintroduced and to improve genetic viability if necessary;

¨ Stimulate studies on the species at educational and research institutions.

Social actions:

¨ Identify the communities surrounding target areas, classifying them according to their levels of interference;

¨ Identify the profile of the different destructive agents to define concrete actions capable of minimizing the negative impact of those interferences over the species;

¨ Develop a cooperative bio-economy at those communities based on the preservation of the environment and on the creation of jobs and income to attain sustainable development;

¨ Implement programs to create environmental awareness within those communities close to the primates’ natural habitat;

¨ Broadcast the Muriqui Conservation Program through all available media, making it the symbol of preservation of endangered species.

4. METHODOLOGY

The Muriqui Conservation Program will focus all efforts in the Serra dos Órgãos National Park, forming partnerships with all entities or organizations working towards the same objective, creating strategies, participating in, and tracking all actions that result in attaining the objectives stated in this program.
It will also create a database with information about the Muriqui, which is expected to become a point of reference for all information on the species.
Within each research area, considering the original areas where the primates were present, the work will be carried out in three phases:

Phase 1 – Survey of the existing Muriqui population / counting and placement
Phase 2 – Follow-up / studies and analyses of the genetic variations and the population viability / assessment of the habitat
Phase 3 – Handling

The social actions will be performed throughout the phases described above.

PHASE 1

The surveys of the remaining Brachyteles arachnoides and hypoxantus population will include areas internal and adjacent to the Nature Preservation National Units, in primary and secondary, continuous or fragmented forest areas above 1,500 ft. Existing trails will be traversed and mapped, and new trails will be opened to allow complete coverage of the area under study. The location of the work team will be recorded at 60 minutes intervals using a GPS. Vocal playbacks (long calls) of Muriqui will be used to attract them or to make them respond to the sounds. When animals are spotted, basic information including the time and location (GPS) of the sighting, group size, gender & age structure (adults, youths and infants, male and female), family and type of vegetation, altitude, primate reaction to surveyor, and the time the encounter was over, will be recorded.

At the same time, a team formed by research, sociology and environmental education professionals will visit the communities surrounding the area under study and contact the local population to collect data on the possible threats to the Muriqui, and to identify the nature of those threats.
Visits to the communities surrounding the Unit to collect data, surveys, interviews with people who know the community well or with groups that work at this community, bibliographic surveys on the communities under study, secondary data collection at official sources, visits to the formal leaderships identified, and visits and meetings with the Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations and ONGs that work in the area are considered activities to be performed in preparation to meetings with the team to introduce the Muriqui Program and to define actions that will benefit this community, streamlining the dissemination of the Program. Using this knowledge, the program will establish partnerships with the communities to increase their income through the preservation of the Muriqui. If the program finds cases of confinement of these primates for animal traffic or hunting purposes, or practices that destroy the habitat, it will work on environmental education to revert or minimize the situation. In its habitat, the primate must represent the redemption of citizenship, the improvement of the quality of life, and an increase of income for those people.
The communities included in this project will be co-participants of the program, and must feel responsible for protecting the Muriqui. One of the objectives of the program is to identify the potential for development of productive endeavors within those communities, based on the popular economy concept, also known as solidarity economy (Razeto-1990) whose rationale opposes the capitalist economy and whose values do not include profit or the fulfillment of basic needs. It consolidates the communitarian identity and turns individuals into social actors who are aware, responsible, and part of the social weave.
The social research methodology will follow the research–action approach, according to the method advocated by Michel Thiollent, Marcela Gajardo or João Bosco Pinto.
Any communitarian effort will include arts and education teams, with illustrated and pleasant support materials capable of creating a strong empathy with the Muriqui.

PHASE 2

Focused on the groups’ genetic viability and on the Muriqui population viability analysis, the objective of this phase will be to identify populations in which the loss of heterozygous is putting those primates under a high risk of extinction, as suggested by Strier (2000b). The collection of cells that contain DNA will be done using samples of cells from the cheeks, or intestinal cell samples excreted with the animals’ stools (Strier, 2000b). The detailed procedures for this study will be defined with the Primate Center in Rio de Janeiro.

After the animals have been located, and frequent encounters have occurred in the previously surveyed areas, the IBAMA Center for Primate Protection will be called in to determine the actions necessary to capture at least one individual in the group.
Biometrics measurements of the captured animal will be taken, along with blood samples. A radio collar may be put in place to make it possible to locate and track the animal, as well as the whole group, to collect behavioral data. All procedures will be documented, and the animal will be released, preferably where it was captured in the first place.
A study of the ecology and the behavior of at least one Muriqui group may be implemented if there is sufficient infrastructure and easy access to the animals. This research will be possible through the creation of Advanced Research Units, that is, areas properly disguised and integrated with the environment under the responsibility of the Serra dos Órgãos National Park.

Since Brazil has few experts in fauna preservation and handling, the Muriqui Conservation Program will allow students of Biology, Veterinary and Ecology to gain expertise in this area.

The social actions initiated in the previous phase will continue and become more intensive in this phase, supported by the already confirmed presence of the primates.

PHASE 3

Handling procedures will be defined after the data generated in the previous phase is evaluated. The size of the population in each of the areas under study, along with the situation of the natural habitat, will determine the priority actions in this phase.
The relocation or reintroduction of captive individuals will only take place if this kind of action is deemed indispensable, as recommended when it is necessary to repopulate potential habitats where the species has become extinct, to increase the genetic viability of an isolated population, and to remove the population from one habitat that is doomed to extinction to a similar, safer area.
Therefore, if it is decided that these situations require some kind of action, and prior to the capture and subsequent release, those animals will be put under observation so that their behavior can be studied both before and after the capture and release. It is very important to monitor those animals well, since we do not have sufficient expertise to predict the success or failure of this kind of action.

The social actions initiated in Phase 1 will continue in this phase, and their scope will be broadened as far as possible.

5. ASSESSMENT

The results of the Program can be evaluated based on the Program’s outputs, which will take one or more of the following forms: reports, scientific meetings and articles prepared for publication in trade journals and/or the press in general.
As for the work done within the communities, the evaluation mechanisms created during the execution of the work itself will be used jointly by the technical team and the community. The analysis will be carried out through meetings with the community, to allow a systematic feedback of the knowledge gained throughout the project, using content that is understandable and adequate to the education level of those groups.

Note: The project schedule and budget was calculated based on MEDIUM areas of 5,000 ha., and considering 1 biological research team and 1 Environmental Education team. The step 3 was not budgeted, since it depends on previous steps and the approval/decision from IBAMA.

Step 1 Step 2
Expenses Items FINAN / CP Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total
Current Expenses
Staff FINAN $19,200 $19,200 $19,200 $57,600
CP $37,440 $37,440 $37,440 $112,320
Daily Expenses FINAN $7,920 $7,920 $7,920 $23,760
Expenditure FINAN $34,176 $28,896 $29,216 $92,288
Tickets / Moving Expenses FINAN $8,746 $9,746 $9,746 $28,237
Other Services(individuals) FINAN $48,040 $39,220 $37,240 $124,500
Other Service (corporations) FINAN $22,160 $28,160 $28,560 $78,880
Research Assistance FINAN $7,000 $11,200 $8,800 $27,000
Consulting Services (individuals) FINAN $20,700 $11,400 $19,200 $51,300
Consulting Services (corporations) FINAN $13,440 $13,440 $20,640 $47,520
Abstract of Current Services FINAN $181,382 $169,182 $180,522 $531,085
CP $37,440 $37,440 $37,440 $112,320
Total of Current Services $218,822 $206,622 $217,962 $643,405
Funds Expenses
Equipment and Durable Material FINAN $2,560 $2,400 $2,400 $7,360
CP $14,012 $0 $0 $14,012
Handwork and Installations FINAN $2,400 $2,400 $2,400 $7,200
CP $1,440 $2,000 $1,680 $5,120
Abstract of Funds Expenses FINAN $4,960 $4,800 $4,800 $14,560
CP $15,452 $2,000 $1,680 $19,132
Total of Funds Expenses $20,412 $6,800 $6,480 $33,692
Abstract
FINAN $186,342 $173,982 $185,322 $545,645
CP $52,892 $39,440 $39,120 $131,452
Total Budget $239,234 $213,422 $224,442 $677,097

6. CURRENT SITUATION

Serra dos Órgãos National Park (11,000 ha / 4,000 ha to be surveyed)

Using funds from the IBAMA/Serra dos Órgãos National Park/TEREVIVA Agreement in this first year, Phase 1 of the program is already under way at the Serra dos Órgãos National Park, seeking to confirm previous reports of Muriqui sightings in the area by locating and counting the existing population. It is also expected that a non-invasive sample (feces) collection will be carried out to allow preliminary analyses.
As of this date, June 2002, 6 exploratory expeditions have already taken place, with the recording of sightings on the second (7 individuals), third (10 individuals) and fourth (22 individuals – apparently part of the group seen by the third expedition) expeditions.

7. RESEARCH AREAS – PRIORITY RIO DE JANEIRO

Area To be visited Step Budget Total

Serra dos Órgãos National Park 4,000 ha 1 In process
2,1 $213,421.60
2,2 $224,441.60 $437,863.20
APA Jacarandá/Cachoeira Macacu 5,500 ha 1 $239,233.60
Guapimirim 2,1 $213,421.60
2,2 $224,441.60 $677,096.80
Serra da Bocaina National Park 23,000 ha 1 $956,934.40
2,1 $853,686.40
2,2 $897,766.40 $2,708,387.20
Tinguá Biological Reserve 13,000 ha 1 $478,467.20
2,1 $426,843.20
2,2 $448,883.20 $1,354,193.60
APA Cairuçu 6,000 ha 1 $239,233.60
2,1 $213,421.60
2,2 $224,441.60 $677,096.80

APA = Área de Proteção Ambiental (Environment Protection Area)
ha = Hectares

8. BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Câmara, I. de G. 1995. Muriquis in the Itatiaia National Park, Brazil. Neotropical Primates 3(1)19.
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Coimbra-Filho, A. F., Pissinatti, A & Rylands, A. B. 1993. Breeding Muriquis Brachyteles arachnoides in captivity: the experience of the Rio de Janeiro Primate Centre (CPRJ_FEEMA). Dodo, J. Wildl. Preserv. Trusts 29: 66-77.
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Lemos de Sá, R.M. & Glander, K. E. 1993. Capture techniques and morphometrics for the wooly spider monkey, or Muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides, E. Geoffroy, 1806). Am. J. Primatol. 29:145-153.

Lemos de Sá, R.M., Pope, T.R., Struhsaker, T.T. & Glander, K.E. 1993. Sexual dimorphism in canine length of woolly spider monkeys (Brachyteles arachnoides, E. Geoffroy 1806). Int. J. Primatol. 14: 755-763.

Rylands, A. B., Mittermeier, R.A. & Rodríguez-Luna, E. 1995. A species list for the New World primates (Platyrrhini): distribution by country, endemism, and conservation status according to the Mace-Lance system. Neotropical Primates 3 (suppl.): 113-160.

Strier, K. B. & Fonseca, A. B. 1998. The Endangered Muriqui in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Primate Conservation,
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Strier, K.B. 2000 b. Primate Behavioral Ecology. Allyn and Bacon.
Thiollent, Michel, 1947 Metodologia da pesquisa-ação / Michel Thiollent - 8. Ed. São Paulo : Cortez, 1998
VYGOTSKY, L.S. Formação Social da Mente. 4. ed. São Paulo: Martins Fontes, 1991. VYGOTSKY, L.S. Pensamento e Linguagem. 1. ed. São Paulo: Martins