Mico (genus)

Silver monkey ( Callithrix ( Mico ) argentata )

The Marmoset or marmosets ( Mico ) are a sub-species of marmosets ( Callithrix genus ) from the primate group of marmosets ( Callitrichidae ). They are small, living in the Amazon basin primates. It can be distinguished around 14 species.

Description

Marmoset reach a body length 18-30 inches, the tail is up to 40 centimeters long, and its weight is around 300-470 grams. Their coat is fine and silky, its color varies depending on the type of white over gray to dark brown and black. Sometimes the rear part of the fuselage, the limbs or the tail are colored contrasting. The tail is longer than the body, it is bushy and can not be used as a prehensile tail. The face is hairless and often flesh colored or gray. In some species, the big ears from the coat stand out in the other ear tufts are present. As with all marmosets are located on the fingers and toes (except the big toe ) claws instead of nails.

Distribution and habitat

Marmosets inhabit the Amazon basin and are just south of the Rio Madeira to find and Amazon. Most species are found only in Brazil, only the black-tailed marmoset lives in eastern Bolivia and in the extreme north of Paraguay. Habitat of these animals are tropical forests, often they are found in densely planted with undergrowth areas such as secondary forests or forest edges.

Way of life

Marmosets are diurnal, like all marmosets, at night they sleep among the lush vegetation or in tree hollows. They are tree dwellers, there they move either running or jumping on all fours on.

They live in groups of 4 to 15 animals. These are usually extended family groups that are organized around with intact pair. Groups inhabit areas from 10 to 40 acres, which they defend against conspecifics.

Like all marmosets are marmosets thanks to the specialized teeth capable of gnawing holes in the bark to get to the tree sap. This food is a regular at times when little fruit and seeds - a more important source of food - are present, a role. Another component of the diet are insects and spiders, sometimes they also eat eggs and small vertebrates.

As a rule, only the dominant female of a group propagates. The gestation period is around 130 to 150 days, it outweigh twin births. The father and the other group members participate actively in the rearing of the young, they carry the young animals and deal with them and given them the only mother to suckle.

System

There are known 14 species of marmosets:

• Acarí - Marmoset ( Callithrix ( Mico ) acariensis )
• Silver monkey ( Callithrix ( Mico ) argentata )
• Yellow White Marmoset ( Callithrix ( Mico ) chrysoleuca )
• Brown Marmoset ( Callithrix ( Mico ) emiliae )
• White Shoulder Marmoset ( Callithrix ( Mico ) humeralifera )
• Aripuanã - Marmoset ( Callithrix ( Mico ) intermedia)
• White Marmoset ( Callithrix ( Mico ) Leucippe )
• Manicoré - Marmoset ( Callithrix ( Mico ) manicorensis )
• Marca - Marmoset ( Callithrix ( Mico ) marcai )
• Maués - Marmoset ( Callithrix ( Mico ) mauesi )
• Black-tailed Marmoset ( Callithrix ( Mico ) melanura )
• Schwarzkopf Marmoset ( Callithrix ( Mico ) nigriceps )
• Rondonia - Marmoset ( Callithrix ( Mico ) Rondoni )
• Sateré - Marmoset ( Callithrix ( Mico ) saterei )

In addition, there are other, not yet scientifically described species.

The pygmy marmoset ( subgenus Cebuella ) and the Black Crown marmoset ( Calli subgenus Bella) zoological be run as separate subgenera. Together with the marmoset, they form the genus of marmosets ( Callithrix ). Sometimes these subgenera are run as independent genera.