golden lion tamarin
The golden lion tamarin (scientific name: Leontopithecus rosalia) is a primate endemic to Brazil, the Callitrichidae family and the genus Leontopithecus. It occurs exclusively in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, but some authors have already considered its occurrence in southern Espírito Santo. Currently, they are found mainly in the Poço das Antas Biological Reserve and the União Biological Reserve, and live in the highest strata of the forest. They can be found in stretches of secondary forest. Already considered as a subspecies, today it is a properly named species, like the other species of lion tamarins. Evidence from phylogenetic studies shows that the black-tamarin is the closest species to the golden lion tamarin. There are no known fossils of the species.
Along with other lion tamarins it is the largest member of the subfamily Callitrichinae, being able to weigh up to 800g. The coat varies from golden to orange with a very characteristic mane, which gave it the popular name. It has claws instead of nails and the third finger of the hand is too long and used to look for prey. Sexual dimorphism is not accentuated. The skull is small and less robust compared to other lion tamarins. It has 32 teeth, the incisors being very similar to canines.
They are diurnal animals and very active during the first hours of the morning. Social behaviors are very similar to those of other primates. They live in groups of up to 8 individuals, organized in family groups, being common polyandry. Polygyny may occur to a lesser extent. The territories vary in size, being able to have up to 217 hectares of area. Habitat fragmentation has caused many territories to overlap with others. They are omnivorous animals, feeding on fruits, invertebrates and small vertebrates in the rainy season and nectar in the dry season. It has a varied repertoire of vocalizations, which are emitted in specific contexts. They give birth to twins, after a gestation of 129 days. Males help with the care of offspring, as well as chicks from previous years.
It is a species that is seriously endangered, listed as endangered species by both IUCN and ICMBio. It occurs almost exclusively in the Poço das Antas Biological Reserve, in the União Biological Reserve and in forest fragments in the vicinity, in the São João river basin, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. There are about 3 200 individuals in freedom, thanks to numerous efforts in the conservation and reproduction of the species. Captive populations are relatively numerous and stable. The golden lion tamarin is a flag species in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest conservation.
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