Callithrix jacchus (Linnaeus, 1758)

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It is only very recently that humans have been able to obtain any information about this species at all. Because of their rarity and size, they are difficult to study in the wild, and comparisons between captive and field studies have proved that their behavior varies between the two. (Evans, 1986)

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Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical

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Sourcehttp://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Callithrix_jacchus/

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 10.0 years.

Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 12.0 years.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 10.0 years.

Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 16.0 years.

Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 15.7 years.

Average lifespan
Sex: male
Status: captivity: 16.8 years.

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Lifespan, longevity, and ageing:

Maximum longevity: 16.5 years (captivity) Observations: These animals appear to be amongst the fastest ageing primates (Austad 1997). One female lived 16.5 years in captivity (http://ipad.primate.wisc.edu/). In addition, one male specimen reportedly lived 22.8 years in captivity (Richard Weigl 2005). Although possible, because there are no other known cases of common marmosets living over 16.5 years, the accuracy of this report is considered questionable.

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Rights holder/AuthorCopyright © 2002 - 2009 by Joao Pedro de Magalhaes
Sourcehttp://genomics.senescence.info/species/entry.php?species=Callithrix_jacchus

Reproduction:

It was originally thought that common marmosets were monogamous creatures, forming pair bonds and raising their offspring as a team. This was believed because captive marmosets only bred successfully in a pair situation. However, it has recently been discovered that the common marmoset, along with other species of marmosets and tamarins, is actually polyandrous (one female mates with multiple males). In the wild, groups of two males and a female form in order to mate and rear offspring. The female mates nearly equally with both males while in estrus.

Mating System: polyandrous ; cooperative breeder

After gestating for approximately 148 days, the female gives birth to the offspring, usually twins (Smuts et al., 1987).

Average number of offspring: 2.

Average gestation period: 148 days.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous

Average birth mass: 26.5 g.

Average gestation period: 144 days.

Average number of offspring: 2.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 382 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 477 days.

The twins combined can equal up to 40% of the female's body weight. The males assist the female in carrying the infants, and it is generally thought that polyandry in this species is due to the large size of these babies and the energy needed to raise them.

Parental Investment: pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Male, Female); pre-independence (Protecting: Male, Female)

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Sourcehttp://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Callithrix_jacchus/

Statistics of barcoding coverage: Callithrix jacchus:

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Specimens with Barcodes: 4
Species With Barcodes: 1

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Rights holder/AuthorSujeevan Ratnasingham, Paul D.N. Hebert, Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD)
Sourcehttp://www.boldsystems.org/index.php/Taxbrowser_Taxonpage?taxid=53194

Common marmosets are one of the most endangered callitrichid species. The complete destruction of their habitat in north eastern Brazil has severely threatened the species, but their numbers in reserves in south eastern Brazil seem to be growing.

(Smuts et al., 1987)

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

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IUCN Red List Assessment:
Red List Category

LC
Least Concern

Red List Criteria

Version

3.1

Year Assessed

2008

Assessor/s

Rylands, A.B, Mittermeier, R.A., de Oliveira, M.M. & Kierulff, M.C.M.

Reviewer/s

Mittermeier, R.A., Rylands, A.B. (Primate Red List Authority) & Hoffmann, M. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)

Contributor/s

Justification

This species is listed as Least Concern as it is relatively widely distributed, adaptable, occurs in a number of protected areas, and because the current rate of decline is not sufficient to qualify it for a threatened category.

History

  • 2003
    Least Concern (LC)
  • 1996
    Lower Risk/least concern (LR/lc)
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Rights holder/AuthorInternational Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/41518

Population:

Population

Callithrix jacchus can occur in very high densites.

Population Trend

Stable
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Rights holder/AuthorInternational Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/41518

Threats:

Major Threats

Although widespread and common in many localities, and even replacing other Callithrix species where it has been introduced, C. jacchus populations are declining through habitat destruction in many parts of their distribution (Mittermeier et al. 1988; Coimbra-Filho 1984). There is some limited hunting for pets.
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorInternational Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/41518
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith