Mico (genus)

''Mico'' is a genus of New World monkeys of the family Callitrichidae, the family containing marmosets and tamarins. The genus was formerly considered a subgenus of the genus ''Callithrix''.

Taxonomy

''Mico'' differs from ''Callithrix'' in dental morphology, genetics and geographic distribution: ''Callithrix'' species are distributed in eastern Brazil (mainly the Atlantic Forest), while ''Mico'' species are distributed in the Amazon south of Rio Madeira, though a single species, the black-tailed marmoset, also occurs in the Pantanal and Chaco. Roosmalens' dwarf marmoset (''Mico humilis'') was briefly considered to be a member of a new monotypic genus, ''Callibella'', due mainly to differences in size, genetics, and its bearing of a single young rather than the two that marmosets usually bear. Roosmalens' dwarf marmoset is significantly smaller than the ''Mico'' species, being about midway between the typical ''Mico'' species and the pygmy marmoset, ''Cebuella pygmaea''. ''Mico'' species differ from the tamarins of the genus ''Saguinus'' in that ''Mico'' has enlarged incisor teeth the same size as the canine teeth which are used for gouging holes in trees to extract exudates.

Species level taxonomy within ''Mico'' has also changed significantly in recent decades. Earlier authorities usually treated all as subspecies of ''M. argentatus'' (including the bare-eared taxa) or ''M. humeralifera'' (including the hairy-eared taxa), or even suggested all were subspecies of ''M. argentatus''. Recent authorities have pointed out that several of the taxa are highly distinctive, and following the phylogenetic species concept all previous subspecies were proposed raised to species status in 2001. This has generally been followed since then. Furthermore, eight of the sixteen currently recognized species were only described to science after 1990. The validity of one species described in 1990, '' M. manicorensis'' (the Manicore marmoset), is questionable, as a review found no differences between it and '' M. marcai'' (Marca's marmoset), leading the IUCN to treat the former as a synonym of the latter.

Species

Ecology

In general, ''Mico'' and ''Callithrix'' species tend to form larger groups and live within smaller home ranges, and thus live in higher population densities, than other callitrichids. But these statistics can vary dramatically among various ''Mico'' species. ''M. argentatus'' tends to live in smaller home ranges (as small as 10 hectares or less) than other ''Mico'' species.

Exudates, such as gum and sap, fruit, nectar and fungus make up the bulk of ''Mico's'' diet, but it also eats animal prey such as arthropods, young birds, small lizards and frogs. They are specialized for exploiting exudates by their elongated, chisel-like lower incisors and a wide jaw gape that allows them to gouge bark of trees that produce gums. Their intestines also have an enlarged, complex cecum that allows them to digest gums more efficiently than most other animals. ''Mico's'' ability to feed on exudates allows it to survive in areas where fruit is highly seasonal or not readily available.

''Mico'' females generally gives birth to two or more infants at a time. They can ovulate and conceive within two to four weeks after giving birth, and ovulation is not inhibited by lactation. Females generally reach sexual maturity between 12 and 17 months, and males between 15 and 25 months.

Emilia's marmoset, ''Mico emiliae'', sometimes interacts with the brown-mantled tamarin, ''Saguinus fuscicollis''.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1340206

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Primate genera
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Taxa named by René Lesson
Taxa described in 1840