Use of neotropical and Malagasy primate species in biomedical research

There are 16 genera with 87 species of Neotropical primates, of which 18 (20.7%) are endangered. Only a handful of Neotropical species are utilized in biomedical research, and, of these, none are currently endangered. The few species utilized in biomedicine that are threatened in the wild are now bred largely from captive colonies. In Madagascar, there are 14 genera and 32 species, none of which are utilized widely in biomedical research. The current position should not induce complacency, as it presents an opportunity. Where knowledge is being gained, in laboratories and zoos, concerning the reproduction, genetics, social organization, behavior, and diseases of primates, it is vital that the relevant knowledge be transferred as far as possible to improve management of the same or related species in the field. Challenges for the future will require action plans for species and for habitats. There is a need for sound scientific knowledge on which to base such plans. In addition, the technological advances developed in laboratories, such as non-invasive assays, assisted reproduction, genetic profiles, and vaccines, are likely to play a growing part in future conservation programs. Finally, knowledge gained from field studies can greatly improve the care and management of species in captivity. Greater cooperation and more efficient mechanisms of communication between laboratory and field, zoos and the wild, and the many scientific disciplines involved are vital to ensure that global primate diversity is maintained. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.