Primates diversity in the south of the Amazon: opportunities for the protected area management

Abstract

Primate species are relevant structuring elements of the biodiversity. They are sensitive to anthropogenic change and are useful bioindicators. Four federal protected areas are located along the middle Rio Purus. These protected areas are managed by the Boca do Acre Integrated Management Nucleus (IMN; Purus, Mapiá Inauini and Iquiri National Forests and the Arapixi Extractive Reserve) and account for 2 million hectares. This region is one of the last great gaps in knowledge of the primates in Amazon. In this study, we present data on the occurrence and population status of 19 primate taxa in these protected areas. This primate richness is heterogeneous and influenced by natural, biogeographic and anthropogenic factors along these immense protected territories. Based on our data, we indicate how knowledge of the local biodiversity might be used to support management actions inside protected areas and then contribute to the protection of biodiversity, the generation of income, and the sustainable exploitation of the natural resources in a region near the "arc of deforestation," where social and economic factors are unfavorable to the conservation of biodiversity.