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Lion tamarin

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Lion tamarins[1][2]
Golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Haplorhini
Infraorder: Simiiformes
Family: Callitrichidae
Genus: Leontopithecus
Lesson, 1840
Type species
Leontopithecus makikina
Lesson, 1840
= Simia rosalia Linnaeus, 1766
Species

Leontopithecus rosalia
Leontopithecus chrysomelas
Leontopithecus chrysopygus
Leontopithecus caissara

Synonyms
  • Leontideus Cabrera, 1956
  • Leontocebus Elliot, 1913

The four species of lion tamarins or maned marmosets make up the genus Leontopithecus. They are small New World monkeys named for the mane surrounding their face, similar to the mane of a lion.

Description

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Living in the eastern rainforests of Brazil, like all other callitrichids they are arboreal. Lion tamarins weigh up to 900 grams (32 oz) and are about 30 cm (12 in) long, with tails about 45 cm (18 in) long. They jump through trees using their fingers to hold on to branches; they use their claws to dig under the bark to search for insects to eat. They also eat some snakes, small lizards, and small fruits. All are endangered or critically endangered, in part because their habitat has been severely disrupted by human development and climate change[citation needed].

Lion tamarins tend to live in family groups, with both parents sharing different tasks of rearing the yearly twins born to them. The mother nurses her young every two to three hours, and the father carries the babies on his back.

Diurnal tree-dwellers, they sleep in tree cavities at night. They also seek shelter during the hottest part of the day.

Species list

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The different species of lion tamarins are easily discernible from each other, based upon the coloration of their fur:[1]

Genus Leontopithecus Lesson, 1840 – four species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Golden lion tamarin

Leontopithecus rosalia
(Linnaeus, 1766)
southeastern Brazil
Map of range
Size: golden fur all over, mane sometimes darkening or black

Habitat:

Diet:
 EN 


Golden-headed lion tamarin

Leontopithecus chrysomelas
(Kuhl, 1820)
Bahia, Brazil
Map of range
Size: black fur with golden face, arms, and tail

Habitat:

Diet:
 EN 


Black lion tamarin or golden-rumped lion tamarin

Leontopithecus chrysopygus
(Mikan, 1823)
São Paulo, Brazil
Map of range
Size: black fur with a dark gold rump

Habitat:

Diet:
 EN 


Superagui lion tamarin or black-faced lion tamarin

Leontopithecus caissara
Lorini & Persson, 1990
southeastern Brazil
Map of range
Size:

Habitat: golden fur with black face, arms, and tails

Diet:
 EN 




Conservation

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Climate change has been affecting the lion tamarins in that cocoa production has taken over their habitat. Mass produced cocoa has been found to thin out surrounding canopy trees in the area. These trees are where lion tamarins mostly reside throughout the day.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 133. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
  2. ^ Rylands AB, Mittermeier RA (2009). "The Diversity of the New World Primates (Platyrrhini)". In Garber PA, Estrada A, Bicca-Marques JC, Heymann EW, Strier KB (eds.). South American Primates: Comparative Perspectives in the Study of Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation. Springer. pp. 23–54. ISBN 978-0-387-78704-6.
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