Sistema reprodutor feminino de três espécies do gênero Saimiri Voigt, 1831 (Primates: Cebidae): observações macroscópicas e histológicas

Abstract

The platyrrhine primates show variation in their reproductive aspects, their strategies, behaviors, physiology and morphoanatomy. Some of these variations may be consequences of the coevolution of the constituent elements of the genitalia of both sexes through sexual selection. Morphological differences may represent a high degree of specialization of the intraspecific genital organs, which entails a "lock-key" mechanism, which may constitute one of the mechanisms of copulatory and reproductive isolation, with implications in the speciation processes. In females, anatomical and physiological barriers within the vagina, cervix, uterus, uterus-tubal junction, and uterine tubes may be obstacles to male gametes towards fertilization and may influence the outcome of potential sperm competition. In neotropical primates, some morphological descriptions pointed out several similarities and differences between the components of the female reproductive system. Saimiri sciureus, Saimiri oerstedii and Saimiri collinsi were described in primates of the Saimiri genus. Recently, previously identified forms as S. sciureus and considered as subspecies of this, were elevated to the level of species. Among them are Saimiri macrodon and Saimiri cassiquiarensis. These species are widely distributed in the Amazon and occur in peripatria with Saimiri vanzolinii in the Mamirauá Reserve, Central Amazonia. The limits of the geographical distribution of the three species are well delineated, but the mechanisms that promote the reproductive isolation are still not clear. The possibility of hybrids and the progressive invasion of S. cassiquiarensis in the area of S. vanzolinii occurrence are of concern. Some mixed groups were observed in the contact zone between S. vanzolinii and S. cassiquiarensis. The absence of geographical barriers requires that segregation between these species be elucidated by other parameters, such as reproductive isolation due to morphological incompatibility. In this context, we describe the female reproductive system of these species in order to evaluate the possibility that genital morphology constitutes a mechanism of reproductive isolation between them, through the anatomical, topographic and histological description of the external genitalia and internal organs of the female reproductive system. We found that these species share many similarities in most of the organs analyzed. Although some important differences have been identified that may play a relevant role in the evolution of the components of the reproductive system of these species, these differences are not enough to compose a mechanism of reproductive isolation for these three species of Saimiri. Our descriptions provide important information that can assist in the construction of conservation strategies for these and other species of the Saimiri genus. As well as subsidizing the development of reproductive biotechnologies, especially endangered species such as S. vanzolinii, and elucidating questions about evolutionary aspects of the components of the reproductive system of these species and other primates.