Connecting Priority Conservation Areas for Leontocebus lagonotus in different degrees of human impact

Abstract

Leontocebus lagonotus is a Neotropical primate of the Callitrichidae family that is distributed in Ecuador and Peru being one of the less studied species of Neotropical primates. Its geographic limits are unknown, as well as the effects that are causing the rapid change in land uses along with climate change on its populations. The objectives of our study are: (1) to know its potential distribution in the present time and the trend towards the future in response to climate change; (2) to establish the Priority Conservation Areas (PCA) for the species under the climate change context to be able to direct the efforts and resources for their protection; (3) to know the use of space of three groups in two areas with different human impact and (4) to study the viability and design of biological corridors between the natural areas with different management and human impact and the APC for the species. Our results: (1) confirm presences observed in previous studies and expand the historical distribution area established for the species. In addition, the areas where the species can be harmed or benefited by the effects of climate change; (2) suggest seven priority conservation areas with a degree of land use management; (3) show a preference of the species for border areas close to the human being such as populations, crops and roads; and (4) highlight the importance of the crop system of the Kichwa culture, the Chakra; being the best method to link the biological corridors proposed with the land uses. We conclude that medium and long-term studies on Leontocebus lagonotus are needed to have more knowledge about their biology, ecology and ethology and the possible effects of changes in land use along with climate change in their populations.