Callithrix kuhlii was previously hypothesized to come from hybridization of Callithrix geoffroyi and Callithrix penicillata, however, new evidence shows that it is morphologically distinct from other marmosets.
Callithrix kuhlii communicate with one another using visual, tactile, olfactory and acoustic signals. These marmosets use visual signals to try to mate, they touch one another while they groom to form bonds, they leave scent trails to mark their territory and they call to one another, especially if danger is perceived.
Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Other Communication Modes: scent marks
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Callithrix kuhlii are not endangered, but their numbers are dwindling due to habitat destruction.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: appendix ii
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: near threatened
There are no known adverse affects of C. khulii on humans.
Weid’s marmosets have been a large commodity in the pet trade, especially in the United States until the U.S. prohibited its importation. It also can be used in biological and medical laboratories because it breeds easily and can be affected by some human diseases such as rubella and herpes.
Positive Impacts: pet trade ; research and education
The holes made by gouging out tree bark provide sap for other animals. Marmosets play a role in pollination and seed dispersal as fruit and nectar are common components of their diet. They may travel extensively throughout their home range every day, pollinating many plants and dispersing seeds. They are also prey for many other species.
Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds; pollinates
Callithrix kuhlii feeds on fruit, flowers, nectar, seeds, insects, and spiders. Sap is a main staple in its diet and it has specialized teeth for gouging holes in tree bark.
Animal Foods: insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods
Plant Foods: seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit; nectar; flowers; sap or other plant fluids
Primary Diet: herbivore (Eats sap or other plant foods)
Callithrix kuhlii (Weid’s black-tufted-ear marmoset) lives in Southwest Brazil, mainly in the coastal regions.
Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )
Weid’s black-tufted-ear marmosets live in a variety of forest types, particularly tropical and subtropical forests. These marmosets inhabit the lower part of the trees. It thrives in areas of dense vegetation and new growth.
Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: forest ; rainforest
These marmosets live about 10 years in the wild and have been known to live up to 16 years in captivity.
Range lifespan
Status: wild: 10 (high) years.
Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 16 (high) years.
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 20 years.
Weid’s marmosets are relatively small, weighing between 350 and 400 grams, or about 13 ounces. They are generally black with gray head pelage and have a distinctly ringed tail. There is an area of white around their cheeks and forehead, and they have black tufts of hair around their ears. They have nails that are claw-like and lack opposable thumbs.
Range mass: 350 to 400 g.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
The main predators of marmosets are harpy eagles: Harpia harpyja, hawks: Buteo albicaudatus, Asturina nitida, Buteo magnirostris, jaguar: Panthera onca, jaguarundi: Felis yagouaroundi, ocelot: Leopardus pardalis, and snakes: suborder Serpentes. Their main means of defense is speed or they may gang up on smaller predators and try to intimidate them into going away.
Known Predators:
The dominant female of a group of C. kuhlii mates with several males. In this way, the father is not known, thus all the males help in caring for the infants after they are born. Actual mating has rarely been observed. However, males have been seen strutting around females with their backs arched and hair bristled. This behavior and the apparent pursuit of females lasts approximately 45 minutes.
Mating System: polyandrous ; cooperative breeder
Only the dominant female of the group breeds. Females reach reproductive maturity around 12-15 months of age and males at one year. The dominant female in the group is the only one who is allowed to breed since the investment for raising the young is so high, but this dominant status is always changing. The dominant female or her replacement enters into estrus 5-12 days after giving birth. Female Weid’s marmosets can give birth up to twice a year and young are always born in pairs.
Breeding interval: twice yearly
Average number of offspring: 2.
Average gestation period: 4.5 months.
Range weaning age: 4 to 6 months.
Average time to independence: 12 months.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 12 to 15 months.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 12 months.
Key Reproductive Features: year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous
Gestation of a pregnant female lasts about 4.5 months. She always gives birth to twins which comprise up to 25% of her body weight. She receives help raising the babies from the males and younger females of the group. The males help by carrying the babies while the mother goes to find food. Other members of the family may share food with the infants after they have been weaned.
Parental Investment: pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Male, Female, Protecting: Male, Female); pre-independence (Provisioning: Male, Female, Protecting: Male, Female); post-independence association with parents
