Molecular data highlight hybridization in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri, Cebidae).

Genet Mol Biol. 2016 Oct 31:0. doi: 10.1590/1678-4685-GMB-2016-0091. [Epub ahead of print]

Carneiro J¹, Rodrigues-Filho LF¹, Schneider H¹, Sampaio I¹.

Author information

• ¹Universidade Federal do Pará, Campus Universitário de Bragança, PA, Brazil.

Abstract

Hybridization has been reported increasingly frequently in recent years, fueling the debate on its role in the evolutionary history of species. Some studies have shown that hybridization is very common in captive New World primates, and hybrid offspring have phenotypes and physiological responses distinct from those of the "pure" parents, due to gene introgression. Here we used the TA15 Alu insertion to investigate hybridization in the genus Saimiri. Our results indicate the hybridization of Saimiri boliviensis peruviensis with S. sciureus macrodon, and S. b. boliviensis with S. ustus. Unexpectedly, some hybrids of both S. boliviensis peruviensis and S. b. boliviensis were homozygous for the absence of the insertion, which indicates that the hybrids were fertile.