The following is a guest post featuring the work of a student enrolled in SA 202: Introduction to Anthropology. This exceptional work highlights the importance of primate conservation. I hope you find this piece informative and are inspired to make a positive change in the world that will help this and other endangered primates.
By: Gina Wilson
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| Buffy-tufted-ear marmoset (Source: Arkive.org; Photographer: Savio Bruno) |
Up in the mountains of Brazil lives a primate called the Buffy-tufted-ear marmoset, with the genus name Callithrix penicillata. These small marmosets have gothic-like features, a ringed-tailed, and beautiful hair. Though, sadly they are going extinct from an array of threats. Some of these threats are in the process of being remedied, but others are not so easily fixed.
The Buffy-tufted-ear marmoset are small marmosets are described as having tufts of white fur along the sides of their face with a skull-like shape on their face, which is why they were given the name “little skull marmoset” (Hall). Heim has described them to also have “short snouts with flat noses, round yellow eyes, and a down-turned mouth that suggests eternal dissatisfaction”. These interesting facial features are the reason I choose to research them. Some other distinctive features that set them apart from other primates are the lack of a prehensile tail, small incisors, and claws rather than nails (Heim). Their small incisors do not allow them to gouge trees and branches to get gum, so they get their nutrition in other ways. Their diet consists of bugs, small creatures like frogs and snails, cacti, flowering plants, and fungi; with fungi making up about 65% of their diet (Zundell). These marmosets are located within the mountains of south-eastern Brazil, giving them the third name of “mountain marmoset” (Hall). These mountains are cold due to their high altitude and are spread across the states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro.
The factors that are causing the endangerment of the Buffy-tufted-ear marmoset are sickness, human hunting and capturing, and the destruction of the forests. Yellow fever is a disease that is spread by mosquitos and primates, and Heim states that an outbreak of yellow fever impacted more than 7,000 primates from 2016-2017, including approximately 260 Buffy-tufted-ear marmosets. Human hunting and capturing have affected these marmosets by illegally trading primates as pets, bushmeat, and primate body parts (Estrada). Along with this is the destruction of forests which has been affecting many different primates and other animals. About 7% of the mountain forest habitat in south-eastern Brazil is left after being altered and urbanized by humans. This 7% is even more difficult to manage for the Buffy-tufted-ear marmoset with the colonizing of other marmoset species (Stevenson). Some of these colonizing marmosets are being released to this area from the illegal pet trade.
Some ways we can help this species and prevent their extinction are by surveying the areas they live, monitoring what they are doing, and developing effective techniques to increase the population. Surveying can help with understanding what is happening to this species, whether they are being hurt by an invasive species or a disease (Heim). Monitoring the activities of the species and assisting with their population numbers by starting breeding programs could also help with avoiding extinction. Developing effective techniques can help to control the growing numbers of invasive marmosets in the area as well as to help avoid hybridization (Heim).
It is important to protect this species, and other species, from extinction because they affect the environment. Buffy-tufted-ear marmosets feed on an array of different fruits and insects. When they feed on fruits, they are helping spread the seeds and assist with the growth of plants, and when feeding on insects they are helping control the insect populations (Hall). This species, as well as other species, are important parts of the biodiversity and provide support to forest regeneration and the health of the forest’s ecosystem (Estrada). Primates also help us with medical research and aid us with our own population by helping us understand different diseases. Without primates, this world would be very different.
Zundell, Julie. "Atlantic Marmosets: Common, Black-Tufted, White-Headed & Buffy-Headed." Study.com, 18 February 2018, www.study.com/academy/lesson/atlantic-marmosets-common-black-tufted-white-headed-buffy-headed.html.
Estrada, Alejandro, et al. “Impending Extinction Crisis of the World’s Primates: Why ... - Science.” Science Advances, 18 Jan. 2017, www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.1600946.
Heim, Rachel. “Buffy-Tufted-Ear Marmoset, Callithrix Aurita: New England Primate Conservancy.” New England Primate, 26 Nov. 2019, www.neprimateconservancy.org/buffy-tufted-ear-marmoset/.
Hall, James. “The Battle to Save the Buffy Tufted Marmoset of Brazil.” Earth.Org, 4 Apr. 2022, www.earth.org/buffy-tufted-marmoset-of-brazil/.
Stevenson, Miranda. “Conservationists Rally to Save the Buffy-Tufted-Ear Marmoset.” World Land Trust, 25 June 2015, https://www.worldlandtrust.org/news/2015/06/conservationists-rally-save-buffy-tufted-ear-marmoset/.
10 comments:
Because they have an impact on the environment, it is crucial to prevent the extinction of this species as well as other species. Buffy-tufted-ear marmosets consume a variety of fruits and insects for food. When they consume fruits, they aid in the dispersal of seeds and the growth of plants, and when they consume insects, they aid in the management of insect populations . This species, together with others, contribute significantly to biodiversity, encourage forest regeneration, and improve the ecosystem health of the forest . Primates assist us in understanding various ailments, which benefits our own population and aids medical research. This planet wouldn't exist without primates. By conducting research, we can assist this species and stop it from going extinct.
Sabthana R.
Reading about the extinction of any primate will always be unfortunate because I know one of the contributing factors to their extinction will always be at the hands of humans. Yes, of course, there are usually other factors that help play a part, but they will not be as significant. For the Buffy-tufted-ear marmoset to face extinction alongside sickness, being hunted & captured, and deforestation they face many problems and should be protected. The first is that no animals should go extinct and the fact that they help the environment by being little gardeners and spreading seeds of fruits to help plant growth.
The Buffy-tufted-ear marmoset is likely the cutest little thing I have ever seen. Though I can understand why someone would want to keep one of these primates as a pet, I think it is sick that people are taking these marmosets to be pets. Likely they aren't feeding them properly either, because people never do and these beautiful creatures are dying. I can't even comprehend why people would want to eat these primates because they are so cute but I hope there can be programs to stop these people from doing what they are doing and to punish them for their crimes. Especially since these marmosets are beneficial to the environment, more needs to be done to help them before it is too late to help. Perhaps monitored conservation areas could help aid in taking these primates off the endangered list.
The existence of Buffy-tufted-ear marmosets was foreign to my knowledge. I want to learn more about how colonized marmosets (that have been released back into the wild) are affecting wild marmosets. I was unaware that yellow fever could be transmitted by primates and that primates eat fungi. I hope an intervention is conducted to save this species, as their niche in their environment is crucial. -Tala Caples
An essential species which supports ecosystem health, forest regeneration, and biodiversity is the Buffy-tufted-ear marmoset. Their extinction has been triggered in part by humans, but there are other causes as well, including disease, being hunted, and deforestation. Researchers should perform studies to help it and stop it from going extinct in order to avert its extinction. Buffy-tufted-ear marmosets are kept as pets by people, who probably don't feed them adequately. I find is disgusting how human will take the Buffy-tufted-ear marmoset out of there own habit and force them to be some pet just for their own selfishness.
-Jada Johnson
Learning about a species that was not to my knowledge before is always nice but reading their endangered is not. It is sad that in every list of reasons for an endangered species humans always play a role in the responsibility of it. These species also are seeders like many others who are endangered that play a huge role in our environment and forest ecosystem so it is important to protect them. There should also be monitoring and rules against human hunting and capturing of them and any other endangered specie.
- Keira Robinson
I will never understand why we as humans would like to take a creature from its natural habitat and make them our pets. The reasoning for these adorable little monkeys almost going extinct is because of us! I often see a lot of celebrities with monkeys like these. At this point having a pet monkey is a status or a trend that everyone has been following lately. These specific species of monkeys are fairly new to me but I hope they are not going to go extinct.
Jasmine Hill
It's fascinating to learn about the Buffy-tufted-ear marmoset in Brazil! Their unique gothic-like features and distinctive hair make them quite intriguing. It's disheartening to hear that they are facing threats that are pushing them towards extinction. It's crucial for us to take action and address these challenges, such as sickness, hunting, capturing, and habitat destruction. Conservation efforts are vital to protect these incredible creatures and ensure their survival. Thank you for sharing this information about the Buffy-tufted-ear marmoset!
The Buffy-tufted-ear marmose is a adorable species hopfully they got the care they need to survive in the future.
I read with great interest this report, which describes the Buffy-tufted-ear Marmoset in great detail. The descriptions of their unique appearance and ecology are impressive, and the specifics about the causes of their extinction helped me understand the critical status of this species. The blog also discusses specific ways to protect them and their importance, which conveys the significance of conservation efforts. Overall, I think the blog is very clear and compelling.
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