Genome-wide analyses reveal recent diversification and hidden diversity in Amazonian howler monkeys, including two new species
Abstract
Complex ecological and evolutionary patterns shaped the rich biodiversity of the Neotropics. Understanding how diversity emerges and is maintained is key to anticipating potential biotic responses to current anthropogenic changes. Howler monkeys ( Alouatta ) are one of the most successful radiations inhabiting this region. However, 11 of the 16 taxa currently recognised are classified as threatened by the IUCN Red List, and the genus faces increasing threats from deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and hunting. Here, we present a genomic-wide analysis covering 11 of the 13 recognised Alouatta species. Our results indicate that most of this genus’ diversity in Amazonia originated in the last million years, driven by major biogeographic and ecological factors, such as geographical barriers (e.g., Amazonian rivers, and the Andes), as well as by ecological gradients, including savanna-forest mosaics and ecotonal zones. Historical biogeographic reconstructions support a trans-Andean origin for Alouatta . Based on integrative taxonomy, including genomic and morphological evidence from numerous specimens, we formally identify groups and provide descriptions for two new species. Our findings underscore the power of genome-wide data to uncover hidden diversity and to inform conservation strategies, particularly in rapidly transforming tropical ecosystems where undescribed species may already be at risk.
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BibTeX
@article{batista2026genomewide,
title = {{Genome-wide analyses reveal recent diversification and hidden diversity in Amazonian howler monkeys, including two new species}},
author = {Romina Batista and Thiago B. F. Semedo and Robin M. D. Beck and Pedro S. Bittencourt and Luis M. P. Ceríaco and Sebastian Cuadros-Espinoza and Maria N. F. da Silva and Fabiano R. de Melo and Rainer N. Deo and Dorien de Vries and Kyle K.-H. Farh and Izeni P. Farias and Mark C. Gibson and Ian Goodhead and Chrysoula Gubili and Núria Hermosilla-Albala and Tomas Hrbek and Mareike C. Janiak and Lukas F. K. Kuderna and David Mahabir and Tomàs Marqués-Bonet and Amanda D. Melin and A. Patricia Mendoza and Russell A. Mittermeier and Stephen D. Nash and Javier Prado-Martinez and Camila C. Ribas and Jeffrey Rogers and Christian Roos and Rogerio V. Rossi and Anthony B. Rylands and Irune Ruiz-Gartzia and John Seyjagat and Sam Shanee and Felipe E. Silva and Richard Sorrillo and Bernardo Urbani and João Valsechi and Anneke H. van Heteren and Fernando J. Vilchez-Delgado and Jean P. Boubli},
journal = {Communications Biology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1038/s42003-026-11187-8},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-026-11187-8},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Genome-wide analyses reveal recent diversification and hidden diversity in Amazonian howler monkeys, including two new species
AU - Romina Batista
AU - Thiago B. F. Semedo
AU - Robin M. D. Beck
AU - Pedro S. Bittencourt
AU - Luis M. P. Ceríaco
AU - Sebastian Cuadros-Espinoza
AU - Maria N. F. da Silva
AU - Fabiano R. de Melo
AU - Rainer N. Deo
AU - Dorien de Vries
AU - Kyle K.-H. Farh
AU - Izeni P. Farias
AU - Mark C. Gibson
AU - Ian Goodhead
AU - Chrysoula Gubili
AU - Núria Hermosilla-Albala
AU - Tomas Hrbek
AU - Mareike C. Janiak
AU - Lukas F. K. Kuderna
AU - David Mahabir
AU - Tomàs Marqués-Bonet
AU - Amanda D. Melin
AU - A. Patricia Mendoza
AU - Russell A. Mittermeier
AU - Stephen D. Nash
AU - Javier Prado-Martinez
AU - Camila C. Ribas
AU - Jeffrey Rogers
AU - Christian Roos
AU - Rogerio V. Rossi
AU - Anthony B. Rylands
AU - Irune Ruiz-Gartzia
AU - John Seyjagat
AU - Sam Shanee
AU - Felipe E. Silva
AU - Richard Sorrillo
AU - Bernardo Urbani
AU - João Valsechi
AU - Anneke H. van Heteren
AU - Fernando J. Vilchez-Delgado
AU - Jean P. Boubli
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Communications Biology
DO - 10.1038/s42003-026-11187-8
UR - https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-026-11187-8
AB - Complex ecological and evolutionary patterns shaped the rich biodiversity of the Neotropics. Understanding how diversity emerges and is maintained is key to anticipating potential biotic responses to current anthropogenic changes. Howler monkeys ( Alouatta ) are one of the most successful radiations inhabiting this region. However, 11 of the 16 taxa currently recognised are classified as threatened by the IUCN Red List, and the genus faces increasing threats from deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and hunting. Here, we present a genomic-wide analysis covering 11 of the 13 recognised Alouatta species. Our results indicate that most of this genus’ diversity in Amazonia originated in the last million years, driven by major biogeographic and ecological factors, such as geographical barriers (e.g., Amazonian rivers, and the Andes), as well as by ecological gradients, including savanna-forest mosaics and ecotonal zones. Historical biogeographic reconstructions support a trans-Andean origin for Alouatta . Based on integrative taxonomy, including genomic and morphological evidence from numerous specimens, we formally identify groups and provide descriptions for two new species. Our findings underscore the power of genome-wide data to uncover hidden diversity and to inform conservation strategies, particularly in rapidly transforming tropical ecosystems where undescribed species may already be at risk.
SN - 2399-3642
ER -