Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Callitrichidae
- Genus
- Mico
Habitat
Maues marmosets primarily inhabit the tropical rainforests of the Amazon Basin in northern Brazil. They prefer dense, primary forests with tall trees and abundant vegetation for foraging and shelter. These areas typically include riverine and upland forests up to 500 meters elevation.
Diet
Maues marmosets feed mainly on fruits, insects, and tree sap, which they obtain by gouging bark with their specialized teeth. They also consume small vertebrates like lizards and occasionally flowers or nectar. Feeding activity peaks in the early morning and late afternoon when they forage in the forest canopy.
Behavior
Maues marmosets live in small family groups of 4-15 individuals, typically including a breeding pair and their offspring. They are diurnal and highly arboreal, spending most of their time in trees and communicating with a variety of vocalizations and scent marking. They exhibit territorial behavior by defending their home ranges through chases and calls.
Conservation Status
The IUCN classifies the Maues marmoset as Vulnerable due to ongoing habitat loss from deforestation and agriculture. Population trends are decreasing, with major threats including fragmentation of rainforest habitats.