Rondon's marmoset

The Rondonia - marmoset ( Mico Rondoni ) is occurring in western Brazil, in the state of Rondonia representatives of the marmosets ( Callitrichidae ). The species was described only in 2010, after the animals long for representatives of the brown silk monkey ( Mico emiliae ) were kept.

Dissemination

The slightly over 100,000 km ² wide distribution is bounded to the west by the Rio Mamoré, in the north of the Rio Madeira and to the east by the Rio Ji- Paraná. To the south, where joins the habitat of the black-tailed silk monkey ( Mico melanurus ), the limit of its range is less clear and falls approximately along with the mountains Serra dos Novos Pacaás. Within this area of ​​distribution, the occurrence of the monkey is extremely patchy. It seems to be lacking in all areas where Saguinus fuscicollis weddelli, a subspecies of Braunrückentamarins, occur taking Saguinus fuscicollis weddelli overall larger areas of the range of populated than the Rondonia - marmoset. As representatives of the marmoset west of the Rio Mamoré and north of the Rio Madeira not happen, the distribution area of ​​Rondonia silk monkey is the most north- westernmost occurrence of the genus.

Features

The investigated for the first description of Rondonia silk monkey specimens had a head-body length of 29-24 cm and a weight of 250 to 400 g Add to that a 29.5 to 33 cm long tail. Within the marmoset the Rondonia - silk monkey belongs to the species group to the silver monkey ( Mico argentatus ) and has, like all members of the group for the most part silver-gray fur. From other members of the group of species it is distinguished by the blackish hairs on the head and the face sides that are lighter and less dense in the vicinity of the naked ears and neck. The top of the head is blackish brown to black, the forehead there is a clear white spot. The rear back portion and the proximal portions of the legs are gray-brown. The color of the legs then changes gradually from gray brown to reddish brown to blackish on the upper leg at the ankle. The tail is almost completely black, reddish brown only at its base and light at the top

Way of life

As the marmosets are Rondonia - marmoset thanks to the specialized, chisel-like incisors able to gnaw holes in tree bark to get to tree saps. In order to digest the milk sap of the rubber tree and related species, their digestive system is especially adapted and the cecum complex and enlarged. The life and ecology of Rondonia silk monkey is still largely unexplored, but probably corresponds to that of other marmosets.

Endangering

The Rondonia - Marmoset is relatively rare and lacking in a large part of its potential distribution area that is affected by extensive deforestation. It could be the most endangered species of the genus. Currently, however, are not yet sufficient data for a more accurate assessment of the hazard.