Marmoset

The marmosets are 22 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 the Goeldi's marmoset, Callimico goeldii, which is closely related.

Most marmosets are about 20 cm long. Relative to other monkeys, they show some apparently primitive features: they have claws rather than nails, and tactile hairs on their wrists. They lack wisdom teeth, and their brain layout seems to be relatively primitive. Their body temperature is unusually variable, changing by up to 4 °C (7 °F) in a day. Marmosets are native to South America and have been found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru. They have also been spotted in Central America, Mexico, and most recently, in southern Louisiana, Texas, and California. They are also raised in captivity as pets.

According to recent research, marmosets exhibit germline chimerism, which is not known to occur in nature in any other primate.

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
 * Manicore marmoset, Mico manicorensis
 * Silvery marmoset, Mico argentata
 * 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 humeralifera
 * Maués marmoset, Mico mauesi
 * Gold-and-white marmoset, Mico chrysoleuca
 * Hershkovitz's marmoset, Mico intermedia
 * Satéré marmoset, Mico saterei
 * Rondon's marmoset, Mico rondoni
 * Genus Callibella—Roosmalens' dwarf marmoset
 * Roosmalens' dwarf marmoset, Callibella humilis
 * Genus Cebuella—Pygmy Marmoset
 * Pygmy marmoset, Cebuella pygmaea

Behavior
Marmosets are highly active, living in the upper canopy of forest trees, and feeding on insects, fruit and leaves. They have long lower incisors, which allow them to chew holes in tree trunks and branches to harvest the gum inside; some species are specialised feeders on gum. .

Marmosets live in family groups of three to 15, consisting of one to two breeding females, an unrelated male, their offspring and occasionally extended family members and unrelated individuals. Their mating systems are highly variable and can include monogamy, polygyny and occasionally polyandry. In most species, fraternal twins are usually born, but triplets are not unknown. Like other callitrichines, marmosets are characterized by a high degree of cooperative care of the young and some food sharing and tolerated theft. Adult males, females other than the mother, and older offspring, participate in carrying infants. Most groups scent mark and defend the edges of their ranges, but it is unclear if they are truly territorial, as group home ranges greatly overlap.

The favorite food of marmosets is carbohydrate-rich tree sap, which they reach by gnawing holes in trunks. 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.

Human cultural references
Callithrix comes from Ancient Greek and means "beautiful fur". Marmoset, from the French marmouset, is of uncertain etymology.

The monkey is mentioned in Shakespeare's Tempest, when Caliban says he will instruct his new master Stephano "how to snare the nimble marmoset" [for eating], on the no-man island where the play takes place (Act 2, Scene 2).