Projects


In this page, you will find short descriptions of projects currently being developed by members of the Committee.

Lowland Tapir Population Genetics in the Pontal do Paranapanema, Brazil


The Pontal do Paranapanema is located at the western tip of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The area harbors one of the last remnants of Atlantic Forest of the Interior, and has been characterized by intense human conflict. The forest cover has been reduced to a mere 7% of its original expanse, and is mainly represented by 13 over 300ha forest fragments plus the Morro do Diabo State Park.
pontal
Pontal do Paranapanema region, depicting principal forest fragments, and the Morro do Diabo State Park (light green).
© 2004 Anders Gonçalves da Silva

The area is home to many mammalian species, including the extremely endangered and endemic black-lion-tamarin. Among its inhabitants we find the Lowland Tapir, the largest native herbivore, and an essential component in maintaining the ecological dynamics of the area.

Here, dung samples are being collected opportunistically across the landscape in order to extract DNA. Each sample will be genotyped using microsatellite markers. This information, in conjunction with the spatial location of the sample, will be used to obtain a clearer understanding of the tapir's movement patterns across this landscape. More specifically, barriers and pathways to movement should be identified, enabling more focused conservation strategies to be devised to preserve, and enhance, the connectivity among tapir populations. Furthermore, this information shall also be used to investigate the lowland tapir's breeding strategy, as it is still unknown.
collectdung
Collecting tapir dung for genetic analyses.
© 2004 Reem Hajjar


Project PI: Anders Gonçalves da Silva [email].
Collaborators: Patrícia Medici, Cristina Tóffoli, George Velastin, José Maria de Aragão, Raul Silveria & Dario Grattapaglia.
Institutional Support: Columbia University, Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas, EMBRAPA Cenargen & TSG.
Acknowledgments: Reem Hajjar and Robin Elliott for their generous help in the field. Juliana José, Rodrigo Lourenço, Eva Mendes for all their help in the lab.
Support: