Neoenergia S A : Belonging to the group of saguis of the Amazon, the monkey was identified in its habitat, one ...

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A new species was found in studies ofthe Primate Monitoring Program,

conducted by The Teles Pires | Photo: R.Costa-Araújo

The Primate Monitoring Program, executed in accordance with the environmental license of the Teles Pires Hydroelectric PowerPlant, controlled by Neoenergia, contributed directly to the discovery of a new species of primate, the Schneider sagui (Mico schneideri). Belonging to the group of saguis of the Amazon, the monkey was identified in its habitat, in Mato Grosso, one of the areas of influence of the plant, which is on the border of the states of Pará and Mato Grosso, in the municipalities of Jacareacanga (PA) and Paranaita (MT). The Teles Pires UhE initiative is part of a series of 44 socio-environmental programs and actions carried out by Neoenergia in the region and which has already been responsible for identifying other new species, such as the zogue-zogue primate, three different types of fish and an orchid.

The identification of the Schneider sagui is the result of a six-year research work done by a series of experts who contributed to the monitoring, collection and analysis of items such as DNA, morphology, structure and coat of the monkey, to then define the sagui as a new species, named Mico schneideri in honor of Horacio Schneider, the pioneer of neotropical primate phylogenetics. The environment manager of the Teles Pires UhE, Ivan Sobreira Neto, highlights the relevance of the study. 'Through our fauna and flora monitoring programs, we were able to map many existing species and still discover new ones. The Amazon region is rich in biodiversity and initiatives like this contribute to science, besides being important milestones aimed at preserving the environment'.

Professor Dr. Fabiano Rodrigues Melo from the Federal University of Viçosa (MG) was part of the team of researchers responsible for monitoring the program and reinforces the results achieved. ' The Amazonian saguis of the genus Mico are endemic, little known in the region and, therefore, priority for research and conservation efforts. Thus, environmental studies are fundamental to the economic sustainability of the country and we have seen in practice the achievements obtained when we have professionals and companies with good technical capacity and a sensitive and appropriate direction for conducting and validatingresearch'.

The study was led by researcher Rodrigo Costa Araújo, who had the sagui-de-Schneider as one of the objects of study of his doctorate. 'In addition to personal satisfaction for bringing new primate species to the knowledge of science and society, this type of research is fundamental to know the biodiversity of the largest tropical forest on the planet. Basic biodiversity research forms the basis for any nature conservation initiative and mitigation of environmental impacts because simply one cannot protect or manage species that we do not know. I hope that this successful partnership will be strengthened and expanded, so that we can generate new discoveries in the juruena and teles pires rivers region and thus contribute to knowing and conserving thespecies'.

Biodiversity

This is not the first discovery of a new species carried out by the initiatives of monitoring and preservation of fauna, flora and physical environment in the regions of influence of the Teles Pires EPP. In 2019, a primate named Plecturocebus grovesi (Groves zogue-zogue) was identified. The name is a tribute to British professor Colin Groves, one of the world's leading authorities in primate taxonomy.

In the same year, three new fish species were described within the Monitoring and Ichthyofauna Monitoring and Studies Program of the plant. The new species are Myleus pachyodus (family Serrasalmidae), Ageneiosus apiaka (family Auchenipteridae), and Hyphessobrycon pinnistriatus (no defined family). Finally, in the list of discoveries is the orchid named Catasetum telespirense Benelli & Soares-Lopes.

'Through our social and environmental programs and actions provided for in the Environmental Licensing, we seek the economic, social and environmental balance of the region where we are present. With a well-executed work, we have achieved great results in Teles Pires, which represent excellent achievements for biodiversity and the environment',says neoenergia environmental analyst João Cabeza.

Carried out since 2012, scientific studies carried out in partnerships with universities and other institutions in the forest areas surrounding the plant, found a high diversity of fauna and flora, with the presence of many rare species. The program inventoried 6,322 trees of 322 different species and another 2,690 plants of 254 species that make up the forest in the area of implantation of the enterprise and around the reservoir. All have been catalogued and are periodically monitored for their protection. ​ ​​