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Genetic patterns and conservation of the Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) in Costa Rica

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Abstract

Once widely distributed throughout the lowland forests of Costa Rica, scarlet macaws (Ara macao) have been reduced to two major, geographically separated, populations along the Pacific slope. Past demographic declines raise conservation concerns regarding the detrimental effects of population fragmentation. This investigation aimed to evaluate the current status of scarlet macaws along the Pacific slope by examining levels of genetic variation and patterns of genetic structure within and among remnant populations. Statistical analyses using multilocus genotypes revealed strong differentiation between Central and South Pacific populations, suggesting local geographic barriers have historically restricted gene flow between these localities. High genetic diversity suggests neither population suffers from genetic erosion, likely resulting from relatively large population sizes and high dispersal capacity and longevity. However, evidence of disequilibrium within the Central Pacific population infers anthropogenic threats have disrupted natural population dynamics. These results advocate on focusing available resources on habitat restoration and nest protection, as a means to assist in reestablishing demographic stability and maintain the genetic health of wild scarlet macaws in Costa Rica.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the International Institute for Wildlife Management and Conservation at the National University of Costa Rica and the School of Biology at the University of Costa Rica for logistical and material support for this research. We also thank Andrea Chaves, Wendy Solís, Mauricio Losilla, Sofía Soto, and Genuar Núñez for assistance during laboratory procedures. Carolina Miño provided helpful discussions that improved the manuscript. The following organizations provided funds to carry out this investigation: The Wildlife Trust, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo – Scott Neotropical Fund, IdeaWild and The Parrot Society-UK. Finally, we thank all the people who provided samples and assisted during fieldwork.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Institute for Wildlife Management and Conservation, National University of Costa Rica, Heredia, 86-3000, Costa Rica

    Otto Monge & Christopher Vaughan

  2. Conservation Genetics Laboratory, School of Biology, University of Costa Rica, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica

    Otto Monge & Gustavo Gutiérrez-Espeleta

  3. Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, 10024, USA

    Kari Schmidt

  4. Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA

    Christopher Vaughan

  5. School of Biology, University of Costa Rica, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica

    Gustavo Gutiérrez-Espeleta

Authors
  1. Otto Monge
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  2. Kari Schmidt
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  3. Christopher Vaughan
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  4. Gustavo Gutiérrez-Espeleta
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Correspondence to Otto Monge.

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Monge, O., Schmidt, K., Vaughan, C. et al. Genetic patterns and conservation of the Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) in Costa Rica. Conserv Genet 17, 745–750 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-015-0804-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-015-0804-3

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