Black-Tufted Marmoset
They are also known as the black-pencilled marmoset, is a species of New World monkey. They are characterized by black tufts of hair around their ears and typically have some white hairs on their face. They have a brown or black head and their limbs and upper body are gray, as well as their abdomen. Their rump and underside are usually black. The tail of these monkeys is ringed with black and white and is not prehensile, but is used for balance. They do not have an opposable thumb and their nails tend to have a claw-like appearance.
Habitat
They are found in Brazil ranging from Bahia to Paraná, and as far inland as Goiás, between 14 and 25 degrees south of the equator, and can commonly be seen in the City of Rio de Janeiro where they were introduced. These marmosets typically live in gallery rainforests. They live an arboreal life high in the trees, but below the canopy. They are rarely spotted near the ground.
Diet
They are herbivores. Their diet consists primarily of tree sap. In periods of drought, they will also consume fruit and insects. In periods of serious drought, they may eat small arthropods, mollusks, bird eggs, baby birds and small vertebrates.
Breeding
They are monogamous creatures and mate for life. They breed twice a year, producing 1 to 4 infants, though most often just twins. The gestation period is 150 days and offspring are weaned after 8 weeks. Both parents take care of newly born offspring, as well as older juveniles also help to raise them. The infants are extremely dependent on their parents. They become reproductively mature at 18 months but typically do not mate until much later, staying with their family group until they do
Population
According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of Black-tufted marmosets is more than 10,000 mature individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List but its numbers today are decreasing.
Threats
Main threats to them include deforestation and fragmented habitat, hunting for pets, and hybridisation. In Rio de Janeiro State, where they were introduced alongside the Common marmoset, Black-tufted marmosets are considered as an invasive species posing a danger to the survival of the endangered Golden lion tamarin through competition.
Conservation
They have been introduced into protected areas in the state of Bahia, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina and São Paulo. The following conservation units are within its geographical distribution.