Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Primates
- Family
- Callitrichidae
- Genus
- Leontopithecus
Habitat
This species is endemic to the lowland Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil, specifically within the Superagui National Park and surrounding areas. They prefer dense, humid forests with a mix of primary and secondary growth, including areas with plenty of vines and epiphytes for foraging and shelter. Their range is limited to coastal regions with minimal elevation.
Diet
Superagui lion tamarins primarily eat fruits, insects, and small vertebrates like lizards and frogs, which they forage for in the forest canopy. They exhibit opportunistic feeding behavior, often searching for food in small groups during the day. Feeding peaks in the early morning and late afternoon when insects are more active.
Behavior
These tamarins live in small family groups of 2-8 individuals, typically led by a dominant breeding pair, and they communicate through vocalizations and scent marking. They are diurnal and highly arboreal, spending most of their time in trees, with territorial behaviors that involve defending their home range through chases and calls. They are agile leapers and engage in cooperative care of offspring, including carrying and feeding young by multiple group members.
Conservation Status
The IUCN classifies the Superagui lion tamarin as Critically Endangered, with a declining population trend due to habitat destruction from deforestation and agriculture. Major threats include fragmentation of their forest habitat and potential impacts from climate change.