Silvery Marmoset
They are a species of New World Monkey. The fur of the silvery marmoset is coloured whitish silver-grey except for a dark tail. Remarkable are its naked, flesh-coloured ears which stand out from the skin. They reach a size of 18-28 cm and weigh from 300-400 g. They are an easily recognizable primate with pointed jaws. The Silvery Marmoset has a very dark tail, due to which the animal is otherwise known as the Black-tailed monkey. Although quite small, these animals are very intelligent creatures.
Habitat
The natural range of this species stretches southwards and eastwards of the eastern Amazon basin (Brazil). Silvery marmosets are rainforest creatures, commonly found in tree hollows and among dense vegetation. These animals are known to sleep in vine tangles.
Diet
These primates are gumivorous animals, which means that they primarily consume sap and gum of trees. Silvery marmosets may also use leaves, fruits and insects.
Breeding
Silvery marmosets exhibit a monogamous mating system with a single dominant, breeding pair per group. However, some populations practice polyandry, which means that each female's mates with multiple males. Group members usually display communal care, helping the pair to rear their offspring, carrying and protecting the newborn babies. Females in the wild typically yield offspring in November-March in the wild, while captive individuals may produce young throughout the year. The gestation period lasts for 140 - 145 days, producing 1 - 3 young with an average of 2. Complete weaning occurs at 6 months old and maturity is reached by 1 - 2 years of age.
Population
According to IUCN, the Silvery marmoset is widespread throughout its range and adaptable but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC), but its numbers are decreasing. The number of mature individuals is currently unknown.
Threats
The main threat to this species is habitat loss. There has been much forest loss within its range along the Transamazon and Santarém-Cuiabá highways, and south of the lower Rio Amazonas due to roads, logging, agro-industry and cattle-ranching. The species is not hunted, although there may be some limited use as pets. Although apparently able to thrive in disturbed forest and forest fragments, It was found that isolated remnant populations are genetically quite distinct and appear to have suffered the effects of inbreeding or genetic drift, which may be prejudicial to the long-term survival of the small (50 or less) populations, even though this species occurs in naturally fragmented forests in savannas in some parts of its range.
Conservation
This species is present in Tapajós National Forest (600,000 ha) and Caxiuanã National Forest (200,000 ha). It is listed on Appendix II of CITES. Further research is needed on the limits of their geographical distribution, and the degree of forest loss within their known range. Soybean cultivation, cattle ranching and logging have increased over the past decade and the impacts of these should be monitored.