Callithrix
Encyclopedia
Callithrix is a genus
of New World Monkey
s of the family Callitrichidae, the family containing marmoset
s and tamarin
s. The genus contains the Atlantic forest marmosets. The genera Mico
and Callibella were formerly considered a subgenus of the genus Callithrix. Callithrix differs from Mico in dental morphology and in geographic distribution — Callithrix species are distributed near the Atlantic coast of South America, while Mico species are distributed further inland. Callithrix differs from Callibella in these features, as well as in size, with Callithrix species being significantly larger. Callthrix species differ from the tamarins of the genus Saguinus in that Callithrix has enlarged incisor
teeth the same size as the canine teeth which are used for gouging holes in trees to extract exudate
s.
Species included in the genus Callithrix include:
Some authorities, including Rosenberger (1981), believe that the Pygmy Marmoset
, genus Cebuella, should be included within Callithrix on the basis of genetic studies, although Cebuella is significantly smaller than Callithrix.
In general, Callithrix and Mico species tend to form larger groups and live within smaller home ranges, and thus live in higher population densities, than other Callitrichids. But these statistics can vary dramatically among various Callithrix species. C. jacchus and C. pencillata typically have home territories of less than 10 hectare
s, while other Callithrix species tend to have larger home territories.
Exudates, such as gum and sap, fruit, nectar and fungus make up the bulk of Callthrix species' diet, but it also eats animal prey such as arthropod
s, young birds, small lizard
s and frog
s. They are specialized for exploiting exudates by their elongated, chisel-like lower incisors and a wide jaw gape that allows them to gouge bark of trees that produce gums. Their intestine
s also have an enlarged, complex cecum
that allows them to digest gums more efficiently than most other animals. Callithrix ability to feed on exudates allows it to survive in areas where fruit is highly seasonal or not readily available. Some species, such as C. jacchus and C. pencillata have been known to inhabit city parks, backyards and coconut plantations.
Callithrix females generally gives birth to two or more infants at a time. They can ovulate and conceive within two to four weeks after giving birth, and ovulation is not inhibited by lactation
. Polygyny
is known to occur in several Callithrix species. Infantide is also known to occur, at least within C. jacchus in which the dominant female kills the offspring of a subordinate female. Females generally reach sexual maturity between 12 to 17 months, and males between 15 and 25 months.
The name Callithrix is derived from the Greek words kalli, meaning beautiful, and thichos, meaning hair.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of New World Monkey
New World monkey
New World monkeys are the five families of primates that are found in Central and South America: Callitrichidae, Cebidae, Aotidae, Pitheciidae, and Atelidae. The five families are ranked together as the Platyrrhini parvorder and the Ceboidea superfamily, which are essentially synonymous since...
s of the family Callitrichidae, the family containing marmoset
Marmoset
Marmosets are the 22 New World monkey species of the genera Callithrix, Cebuella, Callibella, and Mico. All four genera are part of the biological family Callitrichidae. The term marmoset is also used in reference to the Goeldi's Monkey, Callimico goeldii, which is closely related.Most marmosets...
s and tamarin
Tamarin
The tamarins are squirrel-sized New World monkeys from the family Callitrichidae in the genus Saguinus. They are closely related to the lion tamarins in the genus Leontopithecus.- Range :...
s. The genus contains the Atlantic forest marmosets. The genera Mico
Mico (genus)
Mico is a genus of New World monkeys of the family Callitrichidae, the family containing marmosets and tamarins. The genus was formerly considered a subgenus of the genus Callithrix.-Taxonomy:...
and Callibella were formerly considered a subgenus of the genus Callithrix. Callithrix differs from Mico in dental morphology and in geographic distribution — Callithrix species are distributed near the Atlantic coast of South America, while Mico species are distributed further inland. Callithrix differs from Callibella in these features, as well as in size, with Callithrix species being significantly larger. Callthrix species differ from the tamarins of the genus Saguinus in that Callithrix has enlarged incisor
Incisor
Incisors are the first kind of tooth in heterodont mammals. They are located in the premaxilla above and mandible below.-Function:...
teeth the same size as the canine teeth which are used for gouging holes in trees to extract exudate
Exudate
An exudate is any fluid that filters from the circulatory system into lesions or areas of inflammation. It can apply to plants as well as animals. Its composition varies but generally includes water and the dissolved solutes of the main circulatory fluid such as sap or blood...
s.
Species included in the genus Callithrix include:
- Common MarmosetCommon MarmosetThe common marmoset is a New World monkey. It originally lived on the Northeastern coast of Brazil, in the states of Piaui, Paraiba, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Pernambuco, Alagoas and Bahia...
, Callithrix jacchus - Black-tufted MarmosetBlack-tufted MarmosetThe black-tufted marmoset , also known as Mico-estrela in Portuguese, is a species of New World monkey that lives primarily in the Neo-tropical gallery forests of the Brazilian Central Plateau. It ranges from Bahia to Paraná, and as far inland as Goiás, between 14 and 25 degrees south of the equator...
, Callithrix penicillata - Wied's MarmosetWied's MarmosetWied's marmoset , also known as Wied's black-tufted-ear marmoset, is a New World monkey that lives in tropical and subtropical forests of southeastern Brazil. Unlike other marmosets, Wied's marmoset lives in groups consisting of 4 or 5 females and 2 or 3 males . They are matriarchal, and only the...
, Callithrix kuhlii - White-headed MarmosetWhite-headed MarmosetThe white-headed marmoset , also known as the tufted-ear marmoset or Geoffrey's marmoset, is a marmoset endemic to Brazil....
, Callithrix geoffroyi - Buffy-headed MarmosetBuffy-headed MarmosetThe buffy-headed marmoset is a rare species of marmoset endemic to the rainforests of south-eastern Brazil. It occurs in southern Espírito Santo and possibly northern Rio de Janeiro and its distribution extends into Minas Gerais....
, Callithrix flaviceps - Buffy-tufted MarmosetBuffy-tufted MarmosetThe buffy-tufted marmoset , also known as the buffy tufted-ear marmoset or white-eared marmoset, is a New World monkey that lives in the forests on the Atlantic coast of southeast Brazil. Of all the marmosets, they have the southernmost range.Buffy-tufted marmoset resemble common marmosets but are...
, Callithrix aurita
Some authorities, including Rosenberger (1981), believe that the Pygmy Marmoset
Pygmy Marmoset
The pygmy marmoset or dwarf monkey is a New World monkey native to the rainforest canopies of western Brazil, southeastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, and northern Bolivia. It is one of the smallest primates, and the smallest true monkey, with its body length ranging from...
, genus Cebuella, should be included within Callithrix on the basis of genetic studies, although Cebuella is significantly smaller than Callithrix.
In general, Callithrix and Mico species tend to form larger groups and live within smaller home ranges, and thus live in higher population densities, than other Callitrichids. But these statistics can vary dramatically among various Callithrix species. C. jacchus and C. pencillata typically have home territories of less than 10 hectare
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
s, while other Callithrix species tend to have larger home territories.
Exudates, such as gum and sap, fruit, nectar and fungus make up the bulk of Callthrix species' diet, but it also eats animal prey such as arthropod
Arthropod
An arthropod is an invertebrate animal having an exoskeleton , a segmented body, and jointed appendages. Arthropods are members of the phylum Arthropoda , and include the insects, arachnids, crustaceans, and others...
s, young birds, small lizard
Lizard
Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains...
s and frog
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
s. They are specialized for exploiting exudates by their elongated, chisel-like lower incisors and a wide jaw gape that allows them to gouge bark of trees that produce gums. Their intestine
Intestine
In human anatomy, the intestine is the segment of the alimentary canal extending from the pyloric sphincter of the stomach to the anus and, in humans and other mammals, consists of two segments, the small intestine and the large intestine...
s also have an enlarged, complex cecum
Cecum
The cecum or caecum is a pouch, connecting the ileum with the ascending colon of the large intestine. It is separated from the ileum by the ileocecal valve or Bauhin's valve, and is considered to be the beginning of the large intestine. It is also separated from the colon by the cecocolic...
that allows them to digest gums more efficiently than most other animals. Callithrix ability to feed on exudates allows it to survive in areas where fruit is highly seasonal or not readily available. Some species, such as C. jacchus and C. pencillata have been known to inhabit city parks, backyards and coconut plantations.
Callithrix females generally gives birth to two or more infants at a time. They can ovulate and conceive within two to four weeks after giving birth, and ovulation is not inhibited by lactation
Lactation
Lactation describes the secretion of milk from the mammary glands and the period of time that a mother lactates to feed her young. The process occurs in all female mammals, however it predates mammals. In humans the process of feeding milk is called breastfeeding or nursing...
. Polygyny
Polygyny
Polygyny is a form of marriage in which a man has two or more wives at the same time. In countries where the practice is illegal, the man is referred to as a bigamist or a polygamist...
is known to occur in several Callithrix species. Infantide is also known to occur, at least within C. jacchus in which the dominant female kills the offspring of a subordinate female. Females generally reach sexual maturity between 12 to 17 months, and males between 15 and 25 months.
The name Callithrix is derived from the Greek words kalli, meaning beautiful, and thichos, meaning hair.