In a collaboration with JAZA and Japan Monkey Center, researchers at Hokkaido University analyzed the genetic make up of the spider monkey population in Japan which consists of 127 individuals in 31 facilities (not sure if this number consists of individuals kept in unaccredited zoos as well). Using mDNA from hair and blood samples, the researchers found out:
日本の動物園で飼育されてきたクモザルの120年の歴史を遺伝学的に解明 (the university’s website, where the results were shown.)
Population genetics of captive spider monkeys in Japan for ex situ conservation - Primates
- At least 29 individuals (roughly 20% of the spider monkey population in Japan) were found out to be interspecies hybrids.
- Of 71 individuals classified as black-handed spider monkeys, 64 were found out to be black-handed spider monkeys (5 of them being interspecies hybrids) while 6 were Colombian black spider monkeys (5 of them being hybrids) while one was revealed to be a brown spider monkey.
- Of 19 individuals classified as white-bellied spider monkeys, 8 were revealed to be Colombian black spider monkeys while 11 were brown spider monkeys.
- Of 9 individuals classified as black spider monkeys, 8 monkeys were classified as Colombian spider monkeys while one was a Peruvian spider monkey.
- Of 28 individuals that weren’t managed as a specific species (“just a spider monkey”), three were black-handed spider monkeys, 19 were Colombian spider monkeys (13 being hybrids), and six were brown spider monkeys (all hybrids)
日本の動物園で飼育されてきたクモザルの120年の歴史を遺伝学的に解明 (the university’s website, where the results were shown.)
Population genetics of captive spider monkeys in Japan for ex situ conservation - Primates