Spotlight on Students: Primate Conservation

 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.

 

Buffy-headed marmoset (Image Credit: Earth.org)

By: Blake Oakley

 The Buffy-headed Marmoset

            The Buffy-headed Marmoset or Callithrix flaviceps is a critically endangered species that lives in Brazil. The species is the most endangered of the marmoset species and as a result they are very rarely seen by people. Once found all around the larger Rio area of Brazil, these monkeys are now found only in select locations in a small area of Brazil.[1] The purpose of this essay is to bring awareness to the story of this primate species, as well as to how and why we as humans should preserve nature. All primate species help to tell the story of human and world history. If a population becomes lost then the information that species can provide becomes very limited. It is also important to note that other species have become adapted to living a certain lifestyle over the course of millions of years. The rapid destruction of habitats and resources has left many of these species unable to adapt.

 Buffy-headed Marmosets are equipped with multiple unique features to help them better thrive in their environment and make them important to the story of primates. All Buffy-headed Marmosets have bodies that are black and grey with lighter yellow and orange coloring on their tails, underparts, and faces. These marmosets are very small but typical size for a monkey of the area as they weigh only between 119-710 grams and are only between 130-180 millimeters long.[2]  Something unique about this species is that it is sexually monomorphic in most instances. This means that males and females are the same size, which is unique to marmosets.[3] They, as do most primates have fairly long lifespan that ranges 10-16 years. Buffy-headed Marmosets are also genetically equipped and adapted to be able to communicate in the treetops. They are considered very good communicators in comparison to other primate species. Communication is done by creating different calls using pitches and range, as well as various body postures.[4]

Buffy-headed Marmosets are all also herbivores, eating only plants such as fruits or various fungi, but have also been known to eat caterpillars and frogs at times. It is also notable that generally Buffy-headed Marmosets mate for life, although there are exceptions. It is a notable practice, although because of this practice it is more difficult to build the population back up to sustainable levels. Female marmosets typically give birth to a maximum of two offspring, which in the wild is not a large number. The increasingly more dangerous habitat of marmosets explains the death of the old and young in this species.

If the offspring are hybrids, then the offspring do not continue the genetic identity of the endangered Buffy-headed species. Hybridization is the act of two species mating and creating offspring together. These hybrid offspring do not carry the exact genetic makeup of the Buffy-headed parent and are therefore not the same species. It appears as if Buffy-headed Marmosets only interbreed with other species of Marmoset. Due to the very similar genetic makeup, interbreeding between species of marmoset is viable. The three primary species that Buffy-headed Marmosets breed with apart from their own are the Buffy-tufted, Black-eared, and Common Marmoset. The interbreeding and hybridization occurs between these marmoset species as a result of competition, habitat loss, human interference, and many other factors. Nonetheless, hybridization is an important issue in the marmoset community.[5] Also possible however is death due to human disruption or loss of home, breeding, and feeding ground due to humans[6] or predators such as cats, snakes, and large birds.[7]

Buffy-headed Marmosets also play an important role in their ever-shrinking habitat. These Marmosets are known as seeders. As marmosets are known for eating various types of plants, it is clear as to how they spread seeds of plants through the process of consumption and waste. These monkeys also feed on the gum of various plants, spreading seeds that way as well.[8] As the marmoset population does this, the food availability remains consistent as they essentially replenish the food sources themselves and other animals. However, when outside factors such as human interference or natural disasters come to be involved with the marmoset habitat, that can throw the ecological balance off. These factors, along with the genetic and moral value of the Buffy-headed Marmoset explain why it is crucial to preserve the habitat for this primate.

The primary reason for the endangerment of the Buffy-headed Marmoset is deforestation that plagues much of the South American continent. Most recently, the Brazilian government led by former president Jair Bolsonaro from 2019 to 2022 removed a great number of protections for forests and indigenous people. Bolsonaro once claimed that the “Amazon Rainforest belongs to Brazil,” in his attempt to exploit the land. These policies have sped up the destruction of many species of animals and plants, the Buffy-headed Marmoset included.[9]

According to the IUCN, despite preservation efforts, the population of this Marmoset continues to drop for various reasons. The decline is primarily attributed to logging, fire, residential encroachment, and disease. As a result of these factors the population of the Buffy-headed marmoset species is now estimated to be less than 2,500 in the entire world.[10] Logging is a very lucrative practice in South America but is almost never practiced in an environmentally friendly way. Much of the logging done in Brazil is illegal, which is the most detrimental to the environment. This has resulted in mass deforestation and the destruction of many acres of habitats home to many species of animals.[11]

Similarly, burning of land is a common practice in agriculture. As humans move closer to wild populations, more habitats are destroyed in this way. Another reason for population loss is actually hybridization with other species of marmoset as stated in paragraph four. Human encroachment on these primate habitats have pushed marmoset species’ together, increasing the rate of hybridization. There are also multiple biological reasons for population decrease although they are not directly associated with humans.[12] There are a great number of threats that the Buff-headed Marmoset faces as the species becomes more threatened every time territory and resources are destroyed.

As it stands, the rate of population of these marmosets is on the decline and are heading toward total extinction. While the situation surrounding the Buffy-headed Marmoset is statistically problematic from various points and may appear dire, it is my belief that with the correct changes, the Buffy-headed Marmoset may be able to be saved. There are already various groups and organizations that support the cause of saving these primates.

 The Buffy-headed Marmoset is listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). This organization works with governments to protect endangered animals like this marmoset, although the effectiveness of the Brazilian government in this entire situation is questionable.[13] This government regulation is important however as the black market for stolen monkeys, especially the Buffy-headed Marmoset, is incredibly detrimental to conservation efforts. Likewise, it is impossible for a human to provide the specific and wide-ranging needs of a marmoset that only their natural environment can provide.[14]

One of the foremost conservation groups supporting the Buffy-headed Marmoset is the Mountain Marmoset Conservation Program (MMCP). The MMCP is a non-profit organization but has been working tirelessly to preserve and replenish the Buffy-headed population. The MMCP employs a variety of people, from biologists, to veterinarians, or whole zoos in some cases. [15] This group also has teams of people who perform surveys and collect data, important to the preservation and study of the species. The MMCP also invests into breeding facilities as to control the hybrid population.[16]

I believe that there are also other ways that the Buffy-headed Marmoset can be saved and revitalized. Governments around the world need to collectively agree to protect and preserve their precious natural resources. This is an issue that goes beyond one primate species. There needs to be however a collective effort to save these endangered animals. All people should have the opportunity to be exposed to information about the actual issues going on. If people have not heard of an issue, they cannot support it. I believe issues such as this one should be more actively reported in the mainstream. This is much more important than a fair amount of the things that are commonplace in media. If there is a large amount of support for endangered animals such as the Buffy-headed Marmoset, then perhaps it could spark real government interest. At the same time, if information can spread in the media, then groups like MMCP can be funded much more heavily by potential supporters.

 At the same time this exposure can be abused and inadvertently fuel the illegal pet trade. That is why there is such a need for more protections, possibly starting with revitalizing the importance of the matter to the Brazilian government. As stated by Kappeler and Watts, dedication to long term research is vital in the conservation attempts of primates.[17] This theory applies to any endangered species in the world in my view though. A species of any living thing cannot be truly saved if it is not understood. Misinterpretation and misinformation is what leads to even more destruction. The public should be informed and educated on information regarding endangered animals and plants, like the Buffy-headed Marmoset, so that the species and habitat can be saved correctly and ethically.

Overall, the situation of the Buffy-headed Marmoset is a prime example of the result of lack of human care for nature and respect of other species. All primates are important to the story of human and world history. These primates are our cousins and closest relatives. Their unique genetics tell us more about our ancient origins than humans ever could themselves. These are highly intelligent beings with numerous things being discovered about them constantly. Humans have recorded as well as destroyed more history than any other creature. It is our turn to take care of this world we call home, starting with our endangered animals like the Buffy-headed Marmoset.

 

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[1] “Buffy-Headed Marmoset, Callithrix Flaviceps | New England Primate Conservancy,” neprimateconservancy.org, January 9, 2022, https://neprimateconservancy.org/buffy-headed-marmoset/.

[2] New England Primate Conservancy

[3] Suzette D. Tardif et al., “Characterization of Obese Phenotypes in a Small Nonhuman Primate, the Common Marmoset (Callithrix Jacchus),” Obesity 17, no. 8 (March 26, 2009): 1499–1505, https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2009.77.

[4] New England Primate Conservancy

[5] Carla B. Possamai, “Species Spotlight: The Buffy-Headed Marmoset Is Menaced on Multiple Fronts • the Revelator,” The Revelator, June 17, 2021, https://therevelator.org/buffy-headed-marmoset/.

[6] Buffy-Headed Marmoset - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio

[7] Zachary Throckmorton, “Callithrix Flaviceps Buffy-Headed Marmoset,” ed. Kerry Yurewicz, Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, 2003), https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Callithrix_flaviceps/.

[8] Buffy-Headed Marmoset - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio

[9] “Amazon Rainforest Belongs to Brazil, Says Jair Bolsonaro,” BBC News, September 24, 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-49815731.

[10] Rylands, “IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Callithrix Flaviceps,” IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, June 30, 2008), https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/3571/9951402.

[11] “Illegal Logging in Brazil | Open Case Studies,” cases.open.ubc.ca (University of British Columbia, n.d.), https://cases.open.ubc.ca/illegal-logging-in-brazil/.

[12] Carla B. Possamai, “Species Spotlight: The Buffy-Headed Marmoset Is Menaced on Multiple Fronts • the Revelator.”

[13] New England Primate Conservancy

[14] Animalia

[15] James Hall, “How Brazil’s Buffy-Headed Marmoset Is Heading for Extinction,” Earth.Org (Mountain Marmosets Conservation Program, June 6, 2022), https://earth.org/brazils-buffy-headed-marmoset/#:~:text=The%20critically%20endangered%20buffy-headed%20marmoset%20is%20one%20of.

[16] “Mountain Marmoset Conservation Program,” MMCP, accessed March 2, 2023, https://www.mountainmarmosetsconservation.com/.

[17] Beth Shook et al., “EXPLORATIONS: AN OPEN INVITATION to BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY,” 2019, https://explorations.americananthro.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Appendix-B-Primate-Conservation-4.0.pdf.

References

BBC News. “Amazon Rainforest Belongs to Brazil, Says Jair Bolsonaro,” September 24, 2019. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-49815731.

animalia.bio. “Buffy-Headed Marmoset - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio.” Accessed March 1, 2023. https://animalia.bio/buffy-headed-marmoset.

neprimateconservancy.org. “Buffy-Headed Marmoset, Callithrix Flaviceps | New England Primate Conservancy,” January 9, 2022. https://neprimateconservancy.org/buffy-headed-marmoset/.

CITES. “CITES.” cites.org, 2022. https://cites.org/eng.

Hall, James. “How Brazil’s Buffy-Headed Marmoset Is Heading for Extinction.” Earth.org. Mountain Marmosets Conservation Program, June 6, 2022. https://earth.org/brazils-buffy-headed-marmoset/#:~:text=The%20critically%20endangered%20buffy-headed%20marmoset%20is%20one%20of.

cases.open.ubc.ca. “Illegal Logging in Brazil | Open Case Studies.” University of British Columbia, n.d. https://cases.open.ubc.ca/illegal-logging-in-brazil/.

MMCP. “Mountain Marmoset Conservation Program.” Accessed March 2, 2023. https://www.mountainmarmosetsconservation.com/.

Strier Lab. “Possamai, Dr. Carla B.,” June 16, 2017. https://strierlab.anthropology.wisc.edu/staff/possamai-dr-carla-b/.

Possamai, Carla B. “Species Spotlight: The Buffy-Headed Marmoset Is Menaced on Multiple Fronts • the Revelator.” The Revelator, June 17, 2021. https://therevelator.org/buffy-headed-marmoset/.

Rylands,. “IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Callithrix Flaviceps.” IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, June 30, 2008. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/3571/9951402.

Shook, Beth, Katie Nelson, Kelsie Aguilera, and Lara Braff. “EXPLORATIONS: AN OPEN INVITATION to BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY,” 2019. https://explorations.americananthro.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Appendix-B-Primate-Conservation-4.0.pdf.

Tardif, Suzette D., Michael L. Power, Corinna N. Ross, Julienne N. Rutherford, Donna G. Layne-Colon, and Mark A. Paulik. “Characterization of Obese Phenotypes in a Small Nonhuman Primate, the Common Marmoset (Callithrix Jacchus).” Obesity 17, no. 8 (March 26, 2009): 1499–1505. https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2009.77.

Throckmorton, Zachary. “Callithrix Flaviceps Buffy-Headed Marmoset.” Edited by Kerry Yurewicz. Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, 2003. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Callithrix_flaviceps/.