Current and historical genetic structure of the white-footed tamarin (Saguinus leucopus)

Habitat loss and fragmentation, illegal trade, and other anthropogenic activities cause the population decline of wild species including primates. The white-footed tamarin (Saguinus leucopus) is highly affected by habitat loss and illegal traffic in northwest Colombia. Few studies have been carried out on the species levels of genetic diversity and structure as a means to understand the demographic history of this species, identify conservation management units, and prioritize conservation efforts. In this study we evaluate levels of genetic diversity and population structure for S. leucopus and identify historical demographic changes along its entire geographical range employing 12 nuclear microsatellite loci and the mitochondrial Hypervariable Region I. We identified four well-differentiated population clusters and high levels of genetic diversity in some clusters. We also found evidence of a north-to-south diversification process during the Pleistocene (between 718,600 and 284,800 years ago) and a recent decrease in the effective population size overall. We recommend integrating this information into management practices and conservation plans for the species, and information about observed genetic differences among gene pools as a tool to infer the origin of S. leucopus individual rescued from illegal trade.