Primate conservation genomics Oliver A. Ryder1 1Genetics Division, Conservation and Research for Endangered Species, Zoological Society of San Diego Abstract Comparative studies of primate genome sequences are now a rapidly developing area of research. In addition to human, western chimpanzee, and rhesus macaque genomes, light to intermediate–level sequencing efforts are now, or will soon be, underway for Sumatran orangutan, western lowland gorilla, and the mouse lemur. Additional Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) libraries are being constructed for a growing diversity of primate species, and some of these taxa are proposed for BAC end-sequencing (e.g., gibbons). Plans are also underway for sequencing of additional key primate taxa (e.g., tarsiers) and outgroups (e.g., flying lemurs, tree shrews). The availability of partial genome sequences, arrayed BAC libraries, and BAC tiling arrays all enable the construction at reduced cost of primers, anchored sites, etc., which will further facilitate the collection of comparative genomic data. Additionally, the generation of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) databases is now an accepted part of genome sequencing efforts. SNP analyses can provide a wide variety of information about past population history, including dispersal patterns, evolutionary radiations, selective sweeps, significant demographic events, disease ecology, and cultural and behavioral ecological patterns. Consistent with the considerable insights that molecular data have been provided into human origins and the dispersal of modern humans across the earth, similar knowledge for other primates would contribute broadly to studies of evolutionary anthropology as well as to conservation planning and implementation efforts. The application of these new technological capabilities will depend significantly on the availability of access to samples suitable for undertaking such analyses. While considerable progress has been made in utilizing non-invasively obtained samples such as feces and hair, genomic studies will require high quality samples (e.g., cell lines) from which DNA libraries can be constructed as well as other resources that are currently limited in scope. Unfortunately, many key biomaterials are neither currently available nor being collected, while at the same time many in situ populations of primates are disappearing rapidly. The further development of international networks to support the collection of samples within primate-habitat countries and the advancement of scientific infrastructure through capacity-building in these nations and regions will be crucial for improving the information base that can be applied to ongoing conservation efforts. A coherent strategy for developing such networks that utilizes the strengths of existing institutions and that forms broader and more effective partnerships is a pressing conservation need.