Bearded Emperor Tamarin

One of the two subspecies of the emperor tamarin, the Black-chinned Emperor Tamarin (Saguinus imperator imperator), is supposedly called for its similarity to the German emperor Wilhelm II. In contrast to the bearded emperor tamarin, some individuals of this species do not have beards. It can be found in Bolivian, Peruvian, and Brazilian rainforests.

Etymology

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Physical Appearance

There are claws on each of the animal's toes and fingers, aside from its big toe which has a nail. While it has a definitive long mustache, it also has almost inconspicuous white hairs on its chin. Visually, however, the saguinus imperator has a black chin. The hair on its chest and belly are a mixture of red, orange, and white hairs. On its back, the fur is dark brown. The inner side of its arms and legs are an orange-like color. The animal reaches a length of 23–26 centimetres (9–10 in), plus a 35–41.5 cm (13.8–16.3 in) long tail. It weighs approximately 500 grams (18 oz).

Abilities

They communicate vocally, as well as with olfactory signals. Males tend to be primary caregivers for their young. The bearded emperor tamarin is known to rely heavily on chemical odour signals, composed of different arrangements of 123 different volatile compounds to communicate and mark territory. These compounds mainly include hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones. Typically, these scents are produced via their well-developed vomeronasal organ and three specialized glands present in the anogenital, suprapubic, and sternal areas of their bodies. These scented secretions are deposited directly in the environment, or on another member of their species, which happens to advertise an individual's identity or status, to mark or defend territory and to signal the geolocation of food resources.

These marks are a form of durable communication, as these olfactory cues stay behind long after a group has left the scene, in contrast with temporary visual or acoustic signals.

Ecology

This tamarin subspecies is omnivorous, eating fruit, nectar, tree sap, flowers, and fungi, as well as insects, snails, and frogs. In the late dry and early wet seasons, it prefers tree sap (or gum). Instead of digging its own hole, the bearded emperor tamarin uses existing or recovery holes made by other tamarin species to access this resource. A Bearded Emperor Tamarin moving along lower-lying branches of a tropical forest.

Reproduction

One or two young are typically born to females after a gestation period of 140–145 days.

Conservation

The emperor tamarin is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, but it is slowly becoming in danger of extinction through destruction of habitat. Many live in zoos or are illegally sold as pets.

Behavior

In the wild, emperor tamarins exhibit lively, swift, graceful, gregariously, and playful behavior. The tamarins in captivity are quite gregarious and engage with people. A study by Kerry L. Knox. Donald Stone Sade discovered that tamarin colonies act antagonistically based on seniority in his study of the social behavior of emperor tamarins kept in captivity. Every element on a continuum from interactions between strongly dominating and strongly subordinate individuals makes up an agonistic network. Tamarins typically convey submission and danger in their relationships.

Distribution and Habitat

It is mostly found in the tropical forests of southwestern Brazil and eastern Peru. The bearded emperor tamarin's range includes territories in western Brazil and Peru while also occasionally being found in Bolivia. In Brazil, its range includes: the Upper Rio Jurua region in the southwest of Amazonas state and to the east of Acre state. In Peru, it inhabits the upper Rio Ucayali and Urubamba basins in the Loreto province and the upper Rio Madre de Dios basin in Madre de Dios; it is sometimes seen in the bordering Cusco Department. This subspecies tends to inhabit primary and secondary lowland evergreen and broadleaf tropical rainforests. They mainly use the bottom 300 m (980 ft) of the canopy to move around and feed.

Movement Pattern: Random
Individual Type: Nomadic/Troop
Population Trend: Stable
Population: 2,000-3,850
Locomotion: Terrestrial
Habitat: Montane Grasslands and Shrublands; Temperate Coniferous Forests; Temperate Broadleaf and Mixed Forests; Temperate Deciduous Forests, Temperate Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Subtropical Coniferous Forests; Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forests; Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Stone Forest; Tropical Coniferous Forests; Tropical Moist Broadleaf Forests; Tropical Dry Broadleaf Forests; Tropical Grasslands; Tropical Savannas and Shrublands; Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands, and Scrub; Flooded Grasslands and Savannas; Swamp; Bayous/Billabongs; Riparian; Wetland; Mangrove Forest; Cold Bamboo Forests; Tropical Bamboo Forests; Mountain; Ghost Town.
Earth:
- Native (Resident): Bolivia; Brazil (Amazonas, Acre); Peru