An Introduction to the Callithrix Genus and Overview of Recent Advances in Marmoset Research

Abstract

We provide here a current overview of marmoset (Callithrix) evolution, hybridization, species biology, basic/biomedical research, and conservation initiatives. Composed of two subgroups, the aurita group (C. aurita and C. flaviceps) and the jacchus group (C. geoffroyi, C. jacchus, C. kuhlii and C. penicillata), this relatively young primate radiation is endemic to the Brazilian Cerrado, Caatinga, and Atlantic Forest biomes. Significant impacts on Callithrix within these biomes resulting from anthropogenic activity include: (1) population declines, particularly for the aurita group; (2) widespread geographic displacement, biological invasions, and range expansions of C. jacchus and C. penicillata; (3) anthropogenic hybridization; and (4) epizootic Yellow Fever and Zika viral outbreaks. A number of Brazilian legal and conservation initiatives are now in place to protect the threatened aurita group and increase research into them. Due to their small size and fast life history, marmosets are prized biomedical models. As a result, there are increasingly sophisticated genomic Callithrix resources available and burgeoning marmoset functional, immuno-, and epi- genomic research. In both the laboratory and the wild, marmosets have given us insight into cognition, social group dynamics, human disease, and pregnancy. Callithrix jacchus and C. penicillata are emerging Neotropical primate models for arbovirus disease, including Dengue and Zika. Wild marmoset populations are helping us understand sylvatic transmission and human spillover of Zika and Yellow Fever viruses. All of these factors are positioning marmosets as preeminent models to facilitate understanding of facets of evolution, hybridization, conservation, human disease, and emerging infectious diseases.

Age, but not hand preference, is related to personality traits in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

“…A possible explanation for the similar trend in humans and marmosets might be their socio-ecologies, particularly similarities in terms of cooperative breeding and living in family units (e.g. [47]). The negative relationship between age and Extraversion, i.e.…”

“…Brain lateralization expressed as hand preference has been already studied in common marmosets ( Callithrix jacchus ) [43–46], New World primates, that are due to their size and ease of breeding one of the most common primate species in the laboratory [47,48]. Hand preference develops early in marmosets' life (5–8 months) and strengthens with time, stabilizing after the second year of life [49].…”

Mitogenomic Phylogeny of Callithrix with Special Focus on Human Transferred Taxa

“…Brazil already possesses several legal instruments for the conservation and protection of wildlife [discussed in 47]. These instruments include national species plans that legally lay out action and aims for the protection of specific groups of endangered species.…”

“…These instruments include national species plans that legally lay out action and aims for the protection of specific groups of endangered species. A national species plan already exists that includes C. aurita and C. flaviceps , the National Action Plan for the Conservation of Atlantic Forest Primates and Collared Sloth [PAN PPMA, 47], and this plan may eventually need to include C. kuhlii . The PAN PPMA considers hybridization as a major threat to the survival of the aurita group marmoset species.…”

Estudo eco-epidemiológico de hantavírus em primatas não humanos neotropicais

“…É uma espécie invasora e se adapta facilmente em ambientes degradados e áreas urbanas, possivelmente teria uma grande população no território de Ribeirão Preto e região, o que facilitaria um maior encontro de sua espécie (MALUKIEWICZ et al, 2020).…”