Common Marmoset

Common Marmoset is a New World monkey. It originally lived on the Northeastern coast of Brazil, in the states of Piaui, Paraiba, Ceará, Pernambuco, Alagoas and Bahia. Through release (both intentional and unintentional) of captive individuals, it has expanded its range since the 1920s to Southeast Brazil (its first sighting in the wild for Rio de Janeiro was in 1929) and became there an invasive species, raising concerns about genetic pollution of similar species such as the Buffy-tufted Marmoset and predation upon bird nestlings and eggs.

Description

The fur of the Common Marmoset is grey. The most distinguishing characteristic is the white tufts of hair which surround the ears, which lend it another common name, the Cotton Eared Marmoset. A white mark is on the forehead and the muzzle is hairless. The long tail is grey-white. Common Marmoset adult size ranges from 14 cm (5.5 in) to 18 cm (7.1 in) and they weigh approximately 400 g (14 oz).

Habitat

Like all callitrichines, the Common Marmoset is diurnal. Its habitat ranges from the edge of forests into the deep forests, but it also appears in fields. It can run swiftly along the branches of trees and is also an excellent jumper. In its introduced range, can be found within cities, being common in Rio de Janeiro; is also found in Buenos Aires.

Diet

The diet of the Common Marmoset consists of insects, spiders, small vertebrates, bird eggs and tree sap or gum. They spend 25-30% of their time budget searching for food.

Behavior and reproduction

Common Marmosets live together in family groups of four to 15 animals, usually mated adults and their offspring. These groups inhabit territories of 300,000 m² (74 acres). The groups have a strict ranking, ordered by the dominance and aggressive behavior of the group leader.

Common Marmosets have variable mating systems: monogamous, polygynous and polyandrous. All adults and subadults share in the care of the young. After an approximately 150-day gestation, the female typically gives birth to twins, though up to four offspring have been observed in captive settings (larger litters suffer higher mortality rates). Compared to adults, the young animals are very large. Newborn twins together are 20 percent to 27 percent of the body weight of the mother, and it is assumed that the cooperative care of young helps counter some of the high costs of raising twin offspring. Males can mate after about one year, while females aren't fully mature until about 20 to 24 months.

Lifespan

The life expectancy of the Common Marmoset in the wild is about 10 years, although some living in captivity have lived to 16 years.

Monkey