Relationship between genetic diversity and IUCN Red List endangered status. We show average pairwise nucleotide diversity, π, for synonymous sites, as an estimate of neutral levels of genetic diversity for each species. With the exception of the aye-aye, the lemurs in our study tend to have high levels of genetic diversity relative to other primates. The two species in our study considered most endangered by the IUCN, the black and white ruffed lemur and Coquerel's sifaka, have the highest levels of estimated genetic diversity among primates. The relatively low observed genetic diversity estimates for marmoset, armadillo, and opossum may not reflect those that might otherwise be obtained from natural populations, because the individuals from these species in our study are from managed laboratory research colonies.
