The marmosets (), also known as zaris or sagoin, are twenty-two 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 Goeldi's marmoset, Callimico goeldii, which is closely related.
Most marmosets have a small body size, measuring about 20 cm (8 in) long and weighing around 100 - 350 g. Sexual maturity is quickly reached around 12 to 18 months and they can live up to 14 years old in the wild. non-opposable thumbs, and tactile hairs on their wrists. They lack wisdom teeth, and their brain layout seems to be relatively primitive. Marmosets are native to South America and have been found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru. They have also been occasionally spotted in Central America and southern Mexico. They are sometimes kept as pets, though they have specific dietary and habitat needs that require consideration.
According to recent research, marmosets exhibit germline chimerism, which is not known to occur in nature in any primates other than callitrichids. 95% of marmoset fraternal twins trade blood through chorionic fusions, making them hematopoietic chimeras.
Species list
- Genus Callithrix—Atlantic marmosets
- Common marmoset, Callithrix jacchus
- Black-tufted marmoset, Callithrix penicillata
- Wied's marmoset, Callithrix kuhlii
- White-headed marmoset, Callithrix geoffroyi
- Buffy-headed marmoset, Callithrix flaviceps
- Buffy-tufted marmoset, Callithrix aurita
- Genus Mico—Amazonian marmosets
- Rio Acari marmoset, Mico acariensis
- Silvery marmoset, Mico argentatus
- White marmoset, Mico leucippe
- Emilia's marmoset, Mico emiliae
- Black-headed marmoset, Mico nigriceps
- Marca's marmoset, Mico marcai
- Black-tailed marmoset, Mico melanura
- Santarem marmoset, Mico humeralifer
- Maués marmoset, Mico mauesi
- Munduruku marmoset, Mico munduruku
- Gold-and-white marmoset, Mico chrysoleucos
- Hershkovitz's marmoset, Mico intermedius
- Satéré marmoset, Mico saterei
- Rondon's marmoset, Mico rondoni
- Genus Callibella—Roosmalens' dwarf marmoset
- Roosmalens' dwarf marmoset, Callibella humilis
- Genus Cebuella—Pygmy Marmoset
- Western pygmy marmoset, Cebuella pygmaea
- Eastern pygmy marmoset, Cebuella niveiventris
Behavior
Marmosets are highly active, living in the upper canopy of forest trees, and feeding on insects, fruit, leaves, tack, sap, and gum. They have strong upper and long, bent lower incisors, which allow them to chew holes in tree trunks and branches to harvest the gum inside; some species are specialized feeders on gum. Most groups scent mark and defend the edges of their ranges, but whether they are truly territorial is unclear, as group home ranges greatly overlap.
The favorite food of marmosets is carbohydrate-rich tree sap, which they reach by gnawing holes in trunks, as well as insects and smaller animals. Their territories are centered on the trees that they regularly exploit in this way. The smaller marmosets venture into the very top of forest canopies to hunt insects that are abundant there.
Research
Marmosets are greatly used in biology for several different studies. Marmosets show social bonding, behavioral functions, and feeding patterns similar to humans compared to other lab animals. Their fast sexual maturity and short lifespan makes them suitable genetic models for research in neuroscience and geroscience.