About Mico melanurus (É.Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1812)
The black-tailed marmoset (Mico melanurus) is a species of New World monkey native to central South America. Its range extends from the south-central Amazon in Brazil, south through the Pantanal and eastern Bolivia, to the Chaco in far northern Paraguay. It is the southernmost member of the genus Mico, and it is the only species in this genus with most of its range located outside the Amazon.
Black-tailed marmosets have dark brown fur, with paler fur on their foreparts and a solid black tail. Unlike most of its close relatives, this species has a distinct white or yellow-white stripe that runs down its thigh. Its ears are hairless, flesh-colored, and stand out clearly from the surrounding fur. Adults reach a body length between 18 and 28 cm, and weigh between 300 and 400 g.
This species is diurnal and arboreal, and uses its claws to climb trees. While originally native to rain forest habitats, the expansion of plantations has allowed the black-tailed marmoset to expand its range. The species spends nights sheltering in tree hollows or in very dense, close vegetation. Black-tailed marmosets live in small social groups, and group members mark their shared territory using scent glands. They drive out intruding individuals through vocalizations or distinct facial expressions, including lowered brows and guarded lips.
The diet of the black-tailed marmoset is made up predominantly of tree sap. To a smaller degree, individuals also eat bird eggs, fruits, insects, and small vertebrates. After a 145-day gestation period, a female gives birth to two offspring, or three in rare cases. Like many other callitrichines, the father and other members of the social group help raise the young. Young black-tailed marmosets are weaned within six months, and reach full sexual maturity at approximately two years of age.
