Marmoset

The Marmosets are the genus Callithrix of New World monkeys. Two species not classified in this genus also have common names including the word "marmoset", the Goeldi's Marmoset (Callimico goeldii) and the Pygmy Marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea). This article deals only with the 17 species currently classified in Callithrix.

Most marmosets are about 20cm in length. Relative to other monkeys, they show a number of apparently primitive features: they have claws rather than nailss, 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, showing as much as 4 degrees C change in a day.

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 enable them to chew holes in the trunks or branches of trees so as to harvest the gum inside; some species are specialised feeders on gum.

Marmosets live in small family groups consisting of a mated pair and their offspring, and are thought to be territorial. In most species, twins are usually born, though triplets are not unknown. A high degree of paternal care is shown, and the male usually carries the infants on his back as the family group moves around.

• ORDER PRIMATES
  • Suborder Strepsirhini: non-tarsier prosimians
  • Suborder Haplorhini: tarsiers, monkeys and apes
    • Family Tarsiidae: tarsiers
    • '''Superfamily Platyrrhini
      • Family Cebidae: marmosets, tamarins, capuchins and squirrel monkeys
        • Subfamily Callitrichinae
          • Genus Callithrix
            • Rio Acari Marmoset, Callithrix acariensis
            • Silvery Marmoset, Callithrix argentata
            • Buffy Tufted-ear Marmoset, Callithrix aurita
            • Golden-white Tassel-ear Marmoset, Callithrix chrysoleuca
            • Snethlage's Marmoset, Callithrix emiliae
            • Buffy-headed Marmoset, Callithrix flaviceps
            • Black-and-white Tassel-ear Marmoset, Callithrix humeralifer
            • Dwarf Marmoset, Callithrix humilis
            • Tassel-ear Marmoset, Callithrix intermedia
            • Common Marmoset, Callithrix jacchus
            • Wied's Marmoset, Callithrix kuhli
            • Golden-white Bare-ear Marmoset, Callithrix leucippe
            • Rio Manicore Marmoset, Callithrix manicorensis
            • Rio Maues Marmoset, Callithrix mauesi
            • Black-tailed Marmoset, Callithrix melanura
            • Black-headed Marmoset, Callithrix nigriceps
            • Black Tufted-ear Marmoset, Callithrix penicillata
          • Genus Cebuella
            • Pygmy Marmoset, Cebuella pygmaea
          • Genus Leontopitecus
          • Genus Saguinus
          • Genus Callimico
            • Goeldi's Marmoset, Callimico goeldii
        • Subfamily Cebinae
      • Family Atelidae
    • Superfamily Catarrhini
      • Family Cercopithecidae: Old World monkeys
      • Family Hylobatidae: gibbons
      • Family Hominidae: great apes and humans