The ecological role of the callitrichidae: A review

Abstract

The marmosets and tamarins fill a unique ecological role among the anthropoid primates, one that has not been fully recognized. Many misconceptions--that they are primitive, monogamous, territorial, and squirrellike--pervade the literature. These misconceptions are largely the result of misinterpreting laboratory studies which have not been confirmed with identified animals in natural habitats. Recent field studies, reviewed here, indicate that marmosets and tamarins have a highly derived ecological role, are not monogamous, feed largely on insects and plant exudates, and have uniquely specialized positional behavior involving clinging to vertical tree trunks in order to feed on exudates. Accompanying these behavioral traits are a number clawlike nails on all digits except the hallux, and a three-cusped upper molar morphology. These form a suite of characteristics unique among the living primates, many of which are related to their ecological role. We believe that the marmosets and tamarins are members of a guild of exudate feeders in which plant exudates are an important component of the diet. It is within this framework of a primate foraging guild that we can best understand many of their morphological and behavioral adaptations.

Habitat use by Callicebus coimbrai (Primates: Pitheciidae) and sympatric species in the fragmented landscape of the Atlantic Forest of southern Sergipe, Brazil

“…The preference of marmosets for disturbed habitat is well-known (SUSSMAN & KINZEY 1984, DIGBY et al 2007, and while the results of this study indicate a certain preference for secondary habitat, the small number of records collected prohibited a more conclusive analysis. The unexpected rarity of Callithrix at the site may nevertheless point to specific ecological factors such as interspecific competition with Callicebus (see FERRARI et al 2003), which obviously demand further investigation.…”

“…data), where it is poorly-known. The third species is the common marmoset, Callitrhix jacchus Linnaeus, 1758, a widespread and common platyrrhine relatively well-adapted to habitat disturbance (SUSSMAN & KINZEY 1984, DIGBY et al 2007.…”

Quantitative genetic analysis of cranial morphology in the cotton‐top (Saguinus oedipus) and saddle‐back (S. fuscicollis) tamarins

“…Although these morphological differences between the saddle-back and cottontop tamarin arc apparent and may have been the object of differential selection, there arc, as yet, no differences in diet described for these species which can be correlated with the morphological differences observed (Savage, 1990;Garber, 1992). Tamarin diets are described as being composed of insects (30-40'%), plant exudates ( 10~20%) and fruits, flowers, and nectar (40-70%) (Sussman and Kinzey, 1984). Little systematic variability in diet has been described, even in mixed species foraging groups including saddle-back tamarins and members of various species in the Mystax group (Terborgh, 1983;Sussman and Kinzey, 1984).…”

“…Tamarin diets are described as being composed of insects (30-40'%), plant exudates ( 10~20%) and fruits, flowers, and nectar (40-70%) (Sussman and Kinzey, 1984). Little systematic variability in diet has been described, even in mixed species foraging groups including saddle-back tamarins and members of various species in the Mystax group (Terborgh, 1983;Sussman and Kinzey, 1984). Further systematic and ecological studies of tamarins will be necessary to elucidate morphologybehavior interactions in the genus.…”

Variation in the Morphology of the Maxillary Sinus among Anthropoids and Its Potential for Phylogenetic Analyses

“…かつて，副鼻腔など顔面頭蓋内の構造は， 切断された頭蓋標本やＸ線写真などを用いて 分析されていた（de Beer, 1937;Cave & Haines, 1940, Cave, 1967Negus, 1958;Hershkovitz, 1977;Lund, 1988;Swindler, 1999） Harada et al (1995), Disotell(1996Disotell( , 2000, , Barroso et al (1997), Horovitz et al (1998), von Dornum & Ruvolo (1999), Canavez et al (1999 et al, 1995;Barroso et al, 1997;Horovitz et al, 1998;von Dornum & Ruvolo, 1999;Canavez et al, 1999） はおおよそ表 et al, 1975;Ford, 1980;Sussman & Kinzey, 1984;Levitch, 1987;Plavcan & Gomez, 1993 Haines, 1940, Cave, 1967Negus, 1958;Hershkovitz, 1977;Lund, 1988 The maxillary sinus communicates with the middle meatus of the nasal cavity through a narrow ostium. Here, I have surveyed variations in the maxillary sinus anatomy of extant and fossil anthropoids which have been examined using computed tomography (CT).…”