Simulations of populations of Sapajus robustus in a fragmentedlandscape.

Abstract

The study of populations subject to the phenomenon of loss and fragmentation of habitat, transformingcontinuous areas into small ones, usually surrounded by anthropogenic matrices, has been the focus ofmany researches within the scope of conservation. The objective of this study was to develop a com-puter model by introducing modifications to the renowned Penna model for biological aging, in order toevaluate the behavior of populations subjected to the effects of fragmented environments. As an objectof study, it was used biological data of the robust tufted capuchin (Sapajus robustus), an endangered pri-mate species whose geographical distribution within the Atlantic Rain Forest is part of the backdrop ofintense habitat fragmentation. The simulations showed the expected behavior based on the three mainaspects that affects populations under intense habitat fragmentation: the population density, area andconformation of the fragments and deleterious effects due the low genetic variability in small and isolatedpopulations. The model showed itself suitable to describe changes in viability and population dynamicsof the species crested capuchin considering critical levels of survival in a fragmented environment andalso, actions in order to preserve the species should be focused not only on increasing available area butalso in dispersion dynamics