Taxonomic status of Aotus hershkovitzi: its relationship to Aotus lemurinus lemurinus

Abstract

We analyze various taxonomic problems of northern Aotus and describe the phenotype and karyotype of specimens, which have been called Aotus hershkovitzi since their discovery. Karyotypes from Panama with a diploid number of 2n = 55–56 had been referred to as Aotus lemurinus lemurinus but actually belong to Aotus lemurinus zonalis, a taxon found throughout the Pacific lowlands of Colombia, extending to Panamá and the Río Sinú on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. Aotus lemurinus zonalis is different phenotypically and karyologically from that of the Colombian Andes population (Aotus lemurinus lemurinus). We correct Hershkovitz’ designation of the Quindío Pass as an amended type locality for Aotus lemurinus. There are no solid grounds to reject the vicinity of Santa Fe de Bogotá as type locality, and this should be listed as the correct type locality. We then point out that as the karyotype of Aotus lemurinus lemurinus has not been described and as the specimens called Aotus hershkovitzi are phenotypically within the range of other Aotus lemurinus lemurinus, that Aotus hershkovitzi is a synonym for A. lemurinus lemurinus, which should now be recognized as having a diploid karyotype of 58 as well as the highest Fundamental Number (76) known for the genus. This interpretation is supported by the discovery of an Aotus (the Murrillo specimen) with 2n = 58 from the Cordillera Central. We suggest further that the karyotypes published for Aotus lemurinus griseimembra need to be confirmed with specimens from known collection sites and that, in fact, Aotus from lowland sites of the Caribbean coast may be another taxon, yet to be described. Furthermore, we clarify the unwarranted assumption that the origin of the “Quindío specimen” described karyologically by Torres et al. (1998) is from this region, but may represent an undescribed species from an as yet unidentified locality. Finally we suggest that in fact the “subspecies” of Aotus lemurinus may in fact be full species in light of their karyological differences. In order to clarify the Aotus species it is important to do specific systematic research, including the collection of specimens from specific localities.