Causes of Death, Competition, IUCN, Impact of Humans

Causes of death

Predation: Raptors, Hawks, Falcons, forest cats, and snakes. 

Sexual Competition: Other males.

Disease: Marmoset wasting syndrome (MWS) is a systemic disorder that affects animals at any age and is characterized by inflammatory lesions in the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys. The main symptoms of WMS are weight loss, decreased muscle mass, chronic diarrhea, and alopecia

Competition

Inter-species – within the species: Generally, pygmy marmosets are shy, non-aggressive animals. But, they can become aggressive to other pygmy marmosets especially during breeding season when there is competition for mates.

Intra-species – with other species: Food competition with larger monkey’s such as the Squirrel Monkey and the Howler Monkey for leaves, insects, and fruit. Small primates such as Tamarins for nesting, sap, and fruit.

What do they compete over: Food and land. 

Effect of invasive species: The Argentine ant is competition for the sap and small insects. The Rubber tree might outgrow their native trees which reduce nesting sites and food. Invasive animals can bring new diseases or parasites. 

Impact of Humans

What impacts have occurred: Around more humans reductions in social play and in the use of the lower stratum of the forests were significantly correlated with tourism pressure. Habitat destruction due to human encroachment as well as the pet trade are among the major threats for extinction of these marmoset species.

Potential Future impacts: Habitat destruction, by deforestation, is the most important factor contributing to the decline of primate populations; hunting, especially for the larger species, and live capture to serve the pet or research markets are other factors that are known to affect the survival of primate species in the wild.

How long have humans been interacting with species: The pygmy marmoset was first described by Johann Baptist von Spix in 1823.

Efforts being made to minimize impacts: The United States has banned the import of primates, and most South American countries don't allow primate exports anymore. Western pygmy marmoset is listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), an international agreement between governments whose goal is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. The western pygmy marmoset habitat is protected in conservation areas within their home range such as the Amacayacu Natural National Park (Colombia), Yasuni National Park (Ecuador), and Manu National Park (Peru).