Black-tailed marmoset

Black-tailed marmoset[1][2]
Black-tailed marmoset
Conservation status

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[3]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Haplorrhini
Family: Callitrichidae
Genus: Mico
Species: M. melanurus
Binomial name
Mico melanurus
(É. Geoffroy, 1812)
Black-tailed marmoset range
Synonyms
  • leucomerus Gray, 1846
  • leukeurin Natterer in Pelzeln, 1883
  • Callithrix argentata melanura Geoffroy, 1812
  • Callithrix melanura Geoffroy, 1812

The black-tailed marmoset (Mico melanurus) is a species of New World monkey from central South America, where ranging from the south-central Amazon in Brazil, south through the Pantanal and eastern Bolivia, to the Chaco in far northern Paraguay.[3] It is the southernmost member of the genus Mico and the only where most of its range is outside the Amazon.[4]

The black-tailed marmoset is dark brown with paler foreparts and a black tail. Unlike most of its relatives, it has a striking white or yellow-white stripe that extends down its thigh.[4] Its ears are naked, flesh-colored and stand out from the fur. They reach a size of 18 to 28 cm and weigh from 300 to 400 g.

A female Black-tailed marmoset is being given an antibiotic gum arabic solution without being removed from her family, who are watching the procedure.

Black-tailed marmosets are diurnal and arboreal, using their claws to climb trees. Originally rain forest inhabitants, plantations have caused them to expanded them their range. They spend the night in tree hollows or in very close vegetation. They live together in small groups and mark their territory with scent glands, driving out intruders by shouting or by facial expressions (lowered brows and guarded lips).

The diet of the black-tailed marmoset predominantly consists of tree sap. To a lesser extent, they also eat bird eggs, fruits, insects, and small vertebrates.

After a 145-day gestation period, the female bears two (or rarely three) offspring. As is the case for many callitrichines, the father and the other group members take part with the raising of the offspring. Within six months the young are weaned, with full maturity coming at about two years of age.

References

  1. ↑ Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M, eds. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 132. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.
  2. ↑ Rylands AB and Mittermeier RA (2009). "The Diversity of the New World Primates (Platyrrhini)". In Garber PA, Estrada A, Bicca-Marques JC, Heymann EW, Strier KB. South American Primates: Comparative Perspectives in the Study of Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation. Springer. pp. 23–54. ISBN 978-0-387-78704-6.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Rylands, A. B., Mittermeier, R. A. & Wallace, R. B. (2008). Mico melanurus. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Rylands, Mittermeier, Coimbra-Filho, Heymann, de la Torre, Silva Jr., Kierulff, Noronha and Röhe (2008). Marmosets and Tamarins: Pocket Identification Guide. Conservation International. ISBN 978-1-934151-20-4
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