Pygmy marmoset
Callithrix pygmaea
CONSERVATION STATUS
CITES: Appendix II
(What is CITES?)
IUCN Red List: C. pygmaea: LC
(What is Red List?)
Key: LC = Least concern
(Click on species name to see IUCN Red List entry, including detailed status assessment information.)
Photo: Allen M. Aisenstein
Among the most common of the callitrichines,
pygmy marmosets are not
threatened because of their high reproductive rate and the ability to exist in
edge or disturbed habitats. In parts of their range, habitat destruction is
rampant, but has not affected their numbers. Because of their small body size,
they are sometimes trapped and sold as pets (de la Torre et al. 2000). One study
by de la Torre et al. showed that pygmy marmosets in areas heavily frequented by
tourists had some changes in their behavior compared to those living in remote
areas (2000). Groups that came in contact with high levels of ecotourists used
larger home ranges, .99 ha compared to .6 ha, on average, used higher forest
strata, and showed decreased levels of play. There is also some concern that
frequent contact with tourists results in long-term reproductive capability of
groups. Changes in behavior and reproductive potential caused by human influence
may cause serious threats to the long-term viability of the pygmy marmoset
population. One way to decrease both habitat destruction and human-caused
population decreases is to focus on environmental education. In 2003, such a
program was started by Stella de la Torre and her colleagues for children in
Ecuador. The curriculum focused on explaining the research they were
conducting, explaining basic ecological and behavioral facts about pygmy
marmosets, and used games and crafts to illuminate the importance of preserving
primates in general, specifically the pygmy marmosets in Ecuador (de la Torre
& Yépez 2003). This program is continuing today and is one way to
increase awareness of the pygmy marmoset in local communities.
LINKS TO MORE ABOUT CONSERVATION
CONSERVATION INFORMATION
CONSERVATION NEWS
ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED IN Callithrix pygmaea CONSERVATION
Content last modified: June 30, 2005
Written by Kristina Cawthon Lang. Reviewed by Stella de la Torre.
Cite this page as:
Cawthon Lang KA. 2005 June 30. Primate Factsheets: Pygmy marmoset (Callithrix pygmaea) Conservation . <http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/pygmy_marmoset/cons>. Accessed 2012 February 10.
