Genus Saguinus Higher classification Tamarin | Phylum Chordata Scientific name Saguinus bicolor Rank Species | |
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Similar Tamarin, Primate, Callitrichidae, Mammal, Red‑handed tamarin | ||
Pied tamarin
The pied tamarin (Saguinus bicolor) is an endangered primate species found in a restricted area in the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest.
Contents
- Pied tamarin
- The plight of the pied tamarin
- Range
- Description
- Behavior and reproduction
- Conservation
- References
The plight of the pied tamarin
Range
This New World monkey is found within and just north of the city limits of Manaus, the capital of the Amazonas state of Brazil. The main distribution is in the rio Cuieiras and rio Preto da Eva interfluvium. Pied tamarins are also found in the adjacent rio Preto da Eva and rio Urubu interfluvium, but are comparatively rare. There appears to be interspecific competition between the pied tamarin and the red-handed tamarin with the red-handed tamarin gradually displacing the pied tamarin from areas of its historical distribution. There are therefore multiple threats to the long-term survival off the pied tamarin that stem from habitat destruction and from interspecific competition.
Description
The pied tamarin's body measures 20.8–28.3 cm.; including the tail it measures 33.5–42.0 cm. Males weigh 428 grams (n = 4). Its life expectancy is approximately 10 years in the wild.
Behavior and reproduction
Individuals live in groups of 2 to 15 members with little intra-group competition. Average group size in the Reserva Florestal Adolpho Ducke is 4.8 individuals per group (n = 41), and other areas around Manaus reported mean group sizes of 6.19 ± 2.62 (n = 46).
Only the alpha female of the group will breed. Reproduction in other females of the group is behaviorally suppressed. The gestation lasts 140–170 days and mothers typically give birth to twins. Young tamarins are cared for primarily by the father and turned over to the mother only to nurse; however, the entire group helps with the care of the young.
Tamarins are omnivorous, their diet consisting of fruit, flowers, nectar, insects, spiders, small vertebrates and bird eggs. Its natural predators are small cats, birds of prey, and snakes. In urban setting main predators are domestic and feral cats and dogs. Because of the destruction of its natural habitat, the species is at risk. However, the species also occurs in several protected areas.
Conservation
Major protected areas outside Manaus include:
Major protected areas within Manaus include: