The golden marmoset, scientifically known as Callithrix chrysoleuca, is a small New World monkey. This primate, also referred to as the golden-white tassel-ear marmoset, exhibits a coat of pale yellow to orange fur, complemented by long white hair tufts on its ears. Its slender body measures between 19 to 26 centimeters in length, with a nonprehensile tail that can extend an additional 30 to 40 centimeters. Weighing approximately 280 to 310 grams, this species is one of the smaller primates.
Habitat and Diet
The golden marmoset inhabits a restricted area within the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, specifically in the eastern part of Amazonas state. Its geographic range is bordered by major rivers, including the Madeira and Amazon to the north, and the Aripuanã to the west. These marmosets are found in secondary forests and forest edges, adapting to disturbed areas. They also occupy seasonal floodplain forests, including várzea, which are flooded by whitewater rivers, and igapó forests, flooded by blackwater rivers.
This species is classified as an exudativore-insectivore, meaning its diet primarily consists of plant exudates like gum, sap, resin, and latex, supplemented by insects. Golden marmosets possess specialized elongated, narrow, chisel-shaped lower incisors that are the same length as their canines. This dental adaptation allows them to gouge holes into tree bark to access the sticky exudates that form a significant portion of their food intake. They return to these gouged holes to consume the exuded sap. Beyond tree exudates, their diet includes fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, nectar, and small invertebrates such as snails, along with small vertebrates like lizards and tree frogs.
Social Structure and Behavior
Golden marmosets are social animals that live in family groups, usually consisting of a breeding pair and their offspring. A defining characteristic of their social system is cooperative breeding, where individuals beyond the parents actively participate in caring for the young. Fathers and older siblings play a significant role in caring for the infants, which are typically born as twins. This shared parental responsibility allows the mother to recover and forage for sufficient food to support milk production for the demanding needs of her offspring.
Communication within these groups is sophisticated, utilizing both vocalizations and scent marking. Golden marmosets produce a variety of high-pitched calls, including a whistle-like “phee” contact call. These calls help them track group members, share information about food sources, and alert others to potential predators. Additionally, they use specialized scent glands to mark territory and convey information about identity and reproductive status.
Conservation Status
The golden marmoset is currently listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), though its population is recognized as declining. The primary threat to this species is habitat loss and fragmentation within its limited range in the Brazilian Amazon. Deforestation, driven by activities such as agriculture, cattle ranching, and the expansion of infrastructure, directly diminishes and breaks apart the lowland secondary forests and forest edges that these marmosets inhabit.
While not as heavily targeted as some other primate species, the illegal pet trade also poses a threat to golden marmosets. Capturing marmosets for this trade often involves the removal of infants, which can disrupt family groups and lead to the death of adult animals. Given their specialized diet and narrow geographic distribution, habitat preservation is a significant concern for their future.