| Black-faced lion tamarin[1][2] | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Primates |
| Family: | Callitrichidae |
| Genus: | Leontopithecus |
| Species: | L. caissara |
| Binomial name | |
| Leontopithecus caissara (Lorini & Persson, 1990) |
|
| Geographic range | |
The Black-faced lion tamarin (Leontopithecus caissara) is a small New World primate of the family Callitrichidae. There are fewer than 260 members left in the wild.[4]
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The black-faced lion tamarin was not discovered until 1990 by Maria Lorini and Vanessa Persson two Brazilian researchers who surveyed the island of Superagui in the state of Parana and discovered the first population.[5] Within approximately the next two years a population was found in the state of São Paulo as well.[6] The species caissara is named after the caicaras, the local people of the island. Mainland populations prefer swampy and inundated secondary forest for habitat. Whereas the island population used mainly tall lowland forest and arboreal restinga (forest with sandy soils) as primary habitat. Both populations though strictly remain below 40 meters altitude.[7]
The black-faced lion tamarin is an arboreal species and primarily eats small fruits and invertebrates that include insect, spiders, and snails. They are also known to drink nectar, eat the young leaves of Bromeliads and consume mushrooms.[5] The black-faced lion tamarin is thought to supplement parts of their nutrition with mushrooms during the dry season.[8] This type of lion tamarin lives in extended family groups from 2-8 members. Within these families there is normally only one breeding female per season.[9] Births typically occur from September to March and females normally give birth to twins.[4] Social interaction is a key component in maintaining a reproductive system such as this. Grooming is the most common form of affiliative behavior seen by the species specifically between the breeding pair.[10]
The black-faced lion tamarin has such a specific habitat preference and low population that habitat loss is the greatest threat to the species. Agriculture, development, fragmentation and extraction of heart-of-palm are the leading causes for their habitat loss.[11] There is also the threat from the illegal pet trade and increased tourism in the area.[4]
The black-faced lion tamarin is listed as critically endangered under the United States Endangered Species Act and is listed on Appendix I under CITES. Within Brazil the species is included on the Brazilian Official List of Species Threatened with Extinction.[12] Locally within the states of Paraná and São Paulo regional threatened species lists.[13][14] The Sugeragui National Park covers most of the black-faced lion tamarin home ranges including Superagui Island and parts of the state of Paraná. The national park is 33,988 hectares large and the black-faced lion tamarin is one of the endemic species that is used as a conservation unit for management of the park.[15] The Instituto de Pesquisas Ecologicas (IPE) began the Black-faced Lion Tamarin Conservation Program in 1996 and through 2004 focused on learning the ecology and natural history of the species. In 2005 enough data was collected to create the first Conservation Action Plan for the Black-Faced Lion Tamarin and its habitat. As well as collecting additional data the IPE from 2005-2007 completed a diagnostic of threats on the species chances of survival. The IPE then hosted the 1st Eco-Negotiation Workshop in Ariri in 2009, with a focus on education and awareness of sustainable production. Currently some of their objectives include evaluating young dispersal, refine the projected population, observe the affects of sea rise due to climate change, and promote sustainable harvest of heart-of-palm.[16]