Áreas prioritarias para la conservación y vulnerabilidad al cambio climático de Alouatta palliata aequatorialis (Atelidae) y Cebus aequatorialis (Cebidae) en la provincia de Azuay, Ecuador

The humid forests of the western foothills of the province of Azuay, in southwestern Ecuador, are among the least studied in the country, and there is no information on primate species. Based on field studies carried out in December 2019 and January 2020, we confirm that two species inhabit this area: Alouatta palliata aequatorialis (Atelidae) and Cebus aequatorialis (Cebidae). In this study, we establish the potential distribution areas of both species through an ecological niche model approach using the Maxent algorithm, for both current climate scenarios and projected scenarios up to 2050. In addition, through a multicriteria analysis, we establish priority areas for their conservation at the present time. The results we obtained show that A. p. aequatorialis uses an area of 1,396 km2 (65% corresponds to deforested areas) and C. aequatorialis uses 1,979 km2 (71% is deforested). For the future, we estimate that climate change could reduce the suitable habitat now available by 18–23%. We define 218 km2 of land (16% of the total area) as priority conservation areas for A. p. aequatorialis and 129 km2 (7%) for C. aequatorialis. However, the probabilities of connectivity between the five polygons that we identified are limited, and the possibility of mining activities taking place in the area offers a complex scenario for the survival of both species. Therefore, the declaration of some in situ conservation figure is a priority in order to preserve the last populations of primates in this part of the country.