SYMPOSIUM
Pitheciins: Ecology & Conservation
XXI Congress of the International
Primatological Society
Pitheciins: Ecology & Conservation
XXI Congress of the International
Primatological Society
Sakis and Uacaris Forever! The Need for Conservation-Effective Research Efforts
Barnett, A.A., L.M. Veiga, S.F. Ferrari, M.A. Norconk, J.P. Boubli & T.R. Defler
The tribe Pitheciini (Cacajao, Chiropotes and Pithecia) includes at least 19 taxa. Seven of these are
currently listed by IUCN as endangered or vulnerable, although a much-needed taxonomic revision of
Cacajao and Pithecia, may alter this situation significantly. To ensure the conservation of these primates,
we need to develop an effective research program. This can be achieved by bringing together pitheciin
researchers, to share knowledge and coordinate conservation goals; to establish ongoing discussion of
conservation priorities and coordination of research activities; to encourage collaboration among diverse
fields such as behavioral ecology, taxonomy, genetics and conservation biology. This symposium will
achieve our first goal. To attain the second and third objectives, we announce the formation of an informal
body, the Pitheciin Action Group. This group will determine priorities for pitheciin research, co-ordinate
research activities and function as a clearinghouse, and will eventually, we hope, achieve more formal
status and established funding. We announce the launch of a web site, which will provide information on
current group activities. We also provide a list of taxa and study topics that we consider to be of priority
for pitheciin conservation. We hope that by creating closer links between researchers and establishing a
conservation-oriented agenda, we will be able to channel knowledge towards the effective protection of the
members of this unusual group of primates.
Return to symposium programme
Barnett, A.A., L.M. Veiga, S.F. Ferrari, M.A. Norconk, J.P. Boubli & T.R. Defler
The tribe Pitheciini (Cacajao, Chiropotes and Pithecia) includes at least 19 taxa. Seven of these are
currently listed by IUCN as endangered or vulnerable, although a much-needed taxonomic revision of
Cacajao and Pithecia, may alter this situation significantly. To ensure the conservation of these primates,
we need to develop an effective research program. This can be achieved by bringing together pitheciin
researchers, to share knowledge and coordinate conservation goals; to establish ongoing discussion of
conservation priorities and coordination of research activities; to encourage collaboration among diverse
fields such as behavioral ecology, taxonomy, genetics and conservation biology. This symposium will
achieve our first goal. To attain the second and third objectives, we announce the formation of an informal
body, the Pitheciin Action Group. This group will determine priorities for pitheciin research, co-ordinate
research activities and function as a clearinghouse, and will eventually, we hope, achieve more formal
status and established funding. We announce the launch of a web site, which will provide information on
current group activities. We also provide a list of taxa and study topics that we consider to be of priority
for pitheciin conservation. We hope that by creating closer links between researchers and establishing a
conservation-oriented agenda, we will be able to channel knowledge towards the effective protection of the
members of this unusual group of primates.
Return to symposium programme
© 2008-2009 Liza M. Veiga
| Above: Cacajao melanocephalus, Pithecia pithecia, Chiropotes albinasus Stephen D Nash - Conservation International |