A Re-Evaluation of the Social Organisation of the Callitrichidae, with Reference to the Ecological Differences between Genera

Abstract

Field studies of callitrichid species have reported a surprising degree of variation in the composition of social groups, some of which has been interpreted as evidence of ‘cooperative polyandry’ in recent reviews. The majority of the evidence is, however, derived from studies of only one of the four callitrichid genera, Saguinus. While most features of the morphology and behaviour of all callitrichid species are broadly similar, studies of marmosets (Callithrix spp. and Cebuella pygmaea) indicate that important ecological differences exist between genera. These differences appear, in turn, to be reflected in marked contrasts in both social organisation and mating systems. A re-evaluation of the social organisation of the callitrichids, based on differences in their ecological adaptations, is presented.

Translocation and radio-telemetry monitoring of pygmy marmoset, Cebuella pygmaea (Spix, 1823), in the Brazilian Amazon

“…Another factor that may be associated with the bigger home range sizes estimated here is the resources availability. Despite it has not been tested, it directly influences the home range size in C. pygmaea, which seems to occupy smaller home ranges if there are abundant exudate sources (Ferrari and Lopes Ferrari, 1989).…”

“…It was not possible to determine whether it died or it separated from its group, since dispersal of mature individuals is a common behavior observed in pygmy marmoset (Soini, 1982;Ferrari and Lopes Ferrari 1989). Also, we stopped detecting this individual in a time when the radio transmitter was running out of batteries (according to the manufacturer instruction).…”

“…The species feeds primarily on arthropods and plant exudates, however other food items may also be included such as fruits, buds, flowers and nectar (Soini, 1982). The availability of these resources will directly influence the size of the home range of C. pygmaea, whose recorded values range from 0.1 to 1.3 ha (Ferrari and Lopes Ferrari, 1989;Townsend, 2001). …”

Effects of Individual and Group Characteristics on Feeding Behaviors in Wild Leontopithecus rosalia

“…Flexibility in social systems may relate to a dependence on foods with unpredictable availability (Ferrari and Lopes Ferrari, 1989). Intergroup variation in the expression of different social systems has been noted for tamarins and lion tamarins (Dawson 1977(Dawson , 1979Dietz and Baker, 1993;Ferrari and Lopes Ferrari, 1989;Terborgh and Goldizen, 1985).…”

“…Intergroup variation in the expression of different social systems has been noted for tamarins and lion tamarins (Dawson 1977(Dawson , 1979Dietz and Baker, 1993;Ferrari and Lopes Ferrari, 1989;Terborgh and Goldizen, 1985). Marmosets have more stable social systems and depend on gum, a relatively predictable food source (Ferrari and Lopes Ferrari, 1989).…”