Where does the common marmoset live?
The common marmoset is a small New World monkey, endemic to Brazil. It originally lived on the north-eastern coast of Brazil, in the states of Piauí, Paraíba, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Pernambuco, Alagoas and Bahia. Through release, both intentional and unintentional, of captive individuals, it has expanded its range since the 1920s to south-eastern Brazil: its first sighting in the wild in Rio de Janeiro was in 1929.
What does the common marmoset eat?
From 20 to 70% of the marmoset's feeding behaviour is eating exudates, such as tree gum. Insects make up 24 to 30% of its food intake, and it also eats fruits, seeds, flowers, fungi, nectar and small vertebrates. It lives in stable extended families of about 9 members, up to 15, with only a few breeding members. Females commonly give birth to non-identical twins.
Is the common marmoset endangered?
No: the IUCN lists it as Least Concern. But in south-eastern Brazil it has become invasive, raising concerns about genetic pollution of similar species such as the buffy-tufted marmoset, and predation upon bird nestlings and eggs. In 2014 the whole genome sequence of a female was published: it was the first New World monkey to have its genome sequenced.
