Special Topic: Intern Dana- Chapter Summary
Ryland’s Marmosets and Tamarins
Systematics, Behavior and Ecology
Chapter 1 Summary
Ryland begins by discussing the taxonomy and classification of marmosets and tamarins, which is still under considerable debate. Most of the controversy surrounds the marmosets (genus Callithrix.) There are multiple ways that taxonomists have classified the callitrichids, especially at the species/subspecies level.
The callitrichid geographic distributions are still poorly understood, and there isn’t much detailed information on the conservation status of many of the marmosets and tamarins. The most information available relates to the most critically endangered species.
Ryland goes on to discuss each species separately in chapter one, and describes their geographic distributions as well as their current status in the wild. Species living at PPS include:
Callithrix jaccus - Common or white tufted eared marmoset. Endemic to Brazil. Widespread and common in many localities, and even replacing other Callithrix species when it has been introduced. However, populations are declining due to habitat destruction.
Callithrix penicillata - Black-tufted-ear marmoset. Endemic to Brazil. Very wide distribution, but still faces habitat destruction. C.penicillata is taking hold and probably replacing other species in numerous locations.
Callithrix kuhli - Weid’s marmoset. Endemic to the Atlantic coastal forest of Brazil. Very abundant and adaptable, but threatened by widespread forest destruction.
Saguinus fuscicollis - Saddleback tamarin - Endemic to Brazil, Peru and Ecuador. Regarded as common in Peru and parts of Brazil.
Saguinus oedipus - Cotton-top tamarin. Endemic to northwestern Colombia. 75% of the original distribution of S.oedipus has been cleared for agriculture and pasture. On the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals - Endangered.
Chapter 2 Summary
There are many proposed taxonomic schemes for how to classify Callitrichids. Charles Snowden argues that vocalizations may be a useful tool for figuring out some of these phylogenetic relationships. Studies have shown that you can differentiate a species depending on subtle aspects of their long calls. Snowden and others used a spectogram to analyze the frequencies and durations of vocalizations.
Long calls have many purposes, like defending a group against intruders of the same species, maintaining cohesion of the group, making contact to an animal separated from the group, or possibly to attract a mate. The calls might also have to do with the monkey’s location in the forest. In the Amazon, there is a great deal of competing noise from insects, birds, and other sounds, so a higher frequency range for vocal communication may be beneficial. Therefore, callitrichid long calls appear to be an adaptation to environmental noise.
References:
Rylands, A. B. Marmosets and Tamarins. Systematics, Behaviour, and Ecology. Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press, 1993.
Special Topic-Erin: Species Spotlight
White-Throated Capuchin Cebus capucinus
Capuchins live in troops of up to 39 monkeys, with more females than males in each group. There is one Alpha Male (dominant) in each group, and the males defend the territory, the larger body size and tooth size of the males helps them to provide better protection. They are diurnal (active during the day) and arboreal (they live in the trees). When the males mature, they leave to find a group of their own, but occasionally remain solitary for a while before finding another group. Females usually spend their entire life with the troop they were born into. White-Throated Capuchins are found in the same area as Black-Handed Spider Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi geoffroyi), and are known to associate with this species in the wild. They have been known to travel with, and even groom each other!
Capuchins are considered by many to be the most intelligent of the New World Monkeys. Two great examples of Capuchin intelligence are tool use and fur rubbing. Capuchins have been observed using rocks as a “stone and anvil” to crack open nuts, and have used sticks to defend themselves against snakes. Capuchins use plants with antibacterial and insect-repelling properties. They pound and bite the fruits to extract the oils, and then rub them all over their bodies. Here at Pacific Primate Sanctuary, we have 4 White-Throated Capuchins, and we have seen them engage in fur rubbing on many occasions.
References:
Causado, J., Cuarón, A.D., Shedden, A., Rodríguez-Luna, E. & de Grammont, P.C. 2008. Cebus capucinus. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2.
Long, J. and K. Francl. 2009. "Cebus capucinus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed February 25, 2010 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Cebus_capucinus.html.
Rowe, Noel. 1996. The pictorial guide to the living primates / Noel Rowe; foreword by Jane Goodall ; introduction by Russell A. Mittermeier Pogonias Press, East Hampton, N.Y.
White-headed Capuchin. (2010, February 14). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 08:07, February 25, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=White-headed_Capuchin&oldid=344026624
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