The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

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IUCN 2008: T19819A9019454

Saguinus leucopus, Silvery-brown Tamarin

Assessment by: Morales-Jimnez, A.L., Link, A. & Stevenson, P.

View on www.iucnredlist.org

Citation: Morales-Jimnez, A.L., Link, A. & Stevenson, P. 2008. Saguinus leucopus. The IUCN Red List
of Threatened Species 2008: e.T19819A9019454.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T19819A9019454.en

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Taxonomy
Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family

Animalia Chordata Mammalia Primates Callitrichidae

Taxon Name:Saguinus leucopus (Gnther, 1877)

Common Name(s):
English: Silvery-brown Tamarin, Silvery-brown Bare-face Tamarin, White-footed Tamarin
French: Tamarin Pieds Blancs
Spanish: Tamarn De Manos Blancas, Tit Gris
Taxonomic Notes:
Taxonomy follows Hershkovitz (1977). See also Groves (2001, 2005). Defler (2004) pointed out that two
subspecies may exist as mentioned by Hernndez-Camacho and Cooper (1976). Two specimens
collected around Mariquita at the southern extreme of their range differ in the tone of their pelage.

Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria: Endangered A2cd ver 3.1

Year Published: 2008

Date Assessed: June 30, 2008

Justification:
This species is listed as Endangered due to a serious reduction in population (>50%) over the past 3
generations (18 years) due primarily to ongoing threats including deforestation and live capture for the
pet trade. The species does not occur in any official protected areas.

Previously Published Red List Assessments

2003 Vulnerable (VU)

2000 Vulnerable (VU)

1996 Vulnerable (VU)

1994 Endangered (E)

1990 Endangered (E)

1988 Vulnerable (V)

1986 Vulnerable (V)

1982 Vulnerable (V)

Geographic Range
Range Description:

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Saguinus leucopus occurs in northern Colombia, between the Ros Magdalena and Cauca from their
confluence in the Department of Bolivar (including the Isla de Mompos and the region south-east to the
Department between the Ros Cauca and Magdalena) south into the Department of Antiquoia along the
west of Ro Cauca basin as far west as the region of Caceres, Valdivia, the Ro Nechi valley, and Porce. It
probably extends southward along the tropical forested slopes of the Central Cordillera, west of the Ro
Magdalena, south into western Caldas and northern Tolima (at least as far south as the vicinity of
Mariquita, ranging up to 1,500 m (Hernndez-Camacho and Cooper 1976; Hershkovitz 1977; Hernndez-
Camacho and Defler 1989; Defler 2004). Hernandez-Camacho and Defler (1989) indicated the possibility
that the range of S. leucopus extends further south-west along the east bank of the Ro Cauca in
Antiquoia, and further south into the gallery forests of the llanos and the forested foothills of the
eastern slopes of the Central Cordillera in the Department of Tolima (see also Cuervo et al. 1986;
Cuartas-Calle 2001; Cuervo et al. 2001).

Country Occurrence:
Native: Colombia (Colombia (mainland))

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Distribution Map

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Population
Calle (1992) recorded very high densities of S. leucopus in a small forest on the Ro Miel, Antioquia: 82
individiduals/km, the result of forest destruction and displaced groups fro elsewhere (Defler 2004).
Bernstein et al. (1976) reported 1-4 individuals/km in a forest patch in northern Bolvar.
Current Population Trend:Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)

Tropical dry forest, tropical humid forest, and very humid premontane forest (Defler 2004). Present in
both primary and secondary forests, in gallery forest, and in some urban areas (Poveda et al. 2001;
Poveda and Sanchez-Palomino 2004).

Marmosets and tamarins are distinguished from the other monkeys of the New World by their small
size, modified claws rather than nails on all digits except the big toe, the presence of two as opposed to
three molar teeth in either side of each jaw, and by the occurrence of twin births. They eat fruits,
flowers, nectar, plant exudates (gums, saps, latex) and animal prey (including frogs, snails, lizards,
spiders and insects). Marmosets have morphological and behavioural adaptations for gouging trees
trunks, branches and vines of certain species to stimulate the flow of gum, which they eat, and in some
species form a notable component of the diet. The dentitions of the tamarins (Saguinus and
Leontopithecus) do not provide for gouging, and they eat gums only when readily available.

Tamarins live in extended family groups of between four and 15 individuals, but usually 2-8. Defler
(2004) recorded group sizes from 3-9 (average 4.6, n=42), while Poveda (2000) recorded groups of 2-12
individuals (average group size 6.6, n=7). A home range of 17.7 ha was recorded by Poveda (2000) near
Mariquita (six months of observations).

Infants reported in May-June and October-November by Vargas and Solano (1994; Vargas and Solano
1996a,b).

Size:
Tamarins are monomorphic - exhibiting only minor differences in body and canine size.
Adult weight male 494 g (n=2) (Hernndez-Camacho and Defler 1985)
Adult weight female 490 g (n=2) (Hernndez-Camacho and Defler 1985)
Adults H&B 23.0-25.0 cm, TL 38.0 cm (Defler 2004).

Systems:Terrestrial

Threats (see Appendix for additional information)

This species occurs in an area of intensive colonization and forest loss. Cuartas-Calle (2001) concluded
that the future of this species is worrying, with the forest in its range being degraded and fragmented at
an accelerating rate. Natural habitats are being affected by logging, the expansion of agriculture and
cattle ranching, mining, and the construction of roads and a dam in the Ro Miel (Calle 1992; Defler
2004). They have been recorded sold as pets in the markets of Medelln and Bogot (Defler 2004).

Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)

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Listed on CITES Appendix 1. Also on the US Endangered Species List.

Saguinus leucopus occurs in one regional reserve (Caon del Rio Alicante), which is poorly protected,
and being exploited for people that live in the area (Morales-Jimnez 2006). It also occurs in the
proposed park of the Sierra San Lucas. A campaign is underway for the creation of a protected area for
the species, which will also benefit the Variegated Spider Monkey, Ateles hybridus, in the north-east of
the department of Antioquia, Colombia, 0701'N and 7405'W, 100-200 m above the sea level, on the
left margin of the Ro Magdalena (Morales-Jimnez 2007b; Morales-Jimnez and Rivadeneira 2006).

A regional captive breeding programme supported by the European Callitrichid TAG (18 zoos) was begun
in 2006 (Morales-Jimnez 2006, 2007a; Morales-Jimnez and Ruivo 2006). In Colombia, the species is
maintained in at least seven zoos, but all of them have problems with reproduction and survival.

An action plan has been drawn up which includes the continuation and organization of ex situ breeding,
and research on husbandry, nutrition, and management in captivity, environmental education and
education programmes for zoos, and in situ field research, including population surveys and studies of
habitat use (Morales-Jimnez 2007c).

Credits
Assessor(s): Morales-Jimnez, A.L., Link, A. & Stevenson, P.

Reviewer(s): Mittermeier, R.A. & Rylands, A.B. (Primate Red List Authority)

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Bibliography
Bernstein, I. S., Balcaen, P., Dresdale, L., Gouzoules, H., Kavanagh, Patterson, T. and Newman-Warner, P.
1976a. Differential effects of forest degredation on primate populations. Primates 27(3): 401-411.

Calle, Z. 1992. Informe de actividades y resultados: censo preliminar y recomendaciones para el manejo
de un poblacin natural de Saguinus leucopus en la zona de influencia del proyecto hidroelctrico, La
Miel II. Unpublished manuscript.

Cuartas-Calle, C. A. 2001. Distribucin parcial del tit gris (Saguinus leucopus, Callitrichidae) en el
Departamento de Antioquia, Colombia. Neotropical Primates 9(3): 107-111.

Cuervo, A., Hernadez, J. and Cadena, C. 1986. Lista atualizada de los mamferos de Colmbia:
anotaciones sobre su distribucion. Caldasia 15: 471-501.

Defler, T. R. 2004. Primates of Colombia. Conservation International, Washington, DC, Usa.

Defler, T. R., Rodrguez-M., J. V. and Hernndez-Camacho, J. I. 2003. Conservation priorities for

Colombian primates. Primate Conservation 19: 10-18.

Groves, C. P. 2001. Primate taxonomy. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC, USA.

Groves, C.P. 2005. Order Primates. In: D.E. Wilson and D.M. Reeder (eds), Mammal Species of the World,
pp. 111-184. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Hernndez-Camacho, J. and Cooper, R. W. 1976. The nonhuman primates of Colombia. In: R. W.

Thorington, Jr. and P. G. Heltne (eds), Neotropical Primates: Field Studies and Conservation, pp. 35-69.
National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.

Hernndez-Camacho, J. and Defler, T. R. 1988. Some aspects of the conservation of non-human primates
in Colombia. Primate Conservation 6: 42-50.

Hernndez-Camacho, J. and Defler, T. R. 1989. Algunos aspectos de la conservacin de primates no-

humanos en Colombia. In: C. J. Saavedra, R. A. Mittermeier and I. B. Santos (eds), La Primatologa en
Latinoamerica, pp. 67-100. WWF-U.S., Washington, DC, USA.

Hershkovitz, P. 1977. Living New World monkeys (Platyrrhini), with an introduction to Primates.
University of Chicago Press, Chicago, USA.

Morales-Jimneiz, A. L. 2006. Colombian Studbook for the Silvery-brown tamarin (Saguinus leucopus).
1st edition. Data current through September 2006. Fundacin Biodiversa Colombia, Bogot, Colombia.

Morales-Jimnez, A. L. 2007. Saguinus leucopus Conservation Program 2006-2010. Report Activities

from January to July 2007. Fundacin Biodiversa Colombia, Bogot, Colombia.

Morales-Jimnez, A. L. 2007. Second Workshop on Captive Management of the Silvery Brown Tamarin in
Colombia: Veterinarian Management Standardization. Fundacin Biodiversa Colombia, Bogot,
Colombia.

Morales-Jimnez, A. L. and Rivadeneira, S. J. 2006. Saving the humid forest of the Magdalena valley: A
reserve for a critically endangered ecosystem. Fundacin Biodiversa Colombia, Bogot, Colombia.

Morales-Jimnez, A. L. and Ruivo, E. B. 2006. Saguinus leucopus Conservation Program 2006-2010.

Report No. 2 Activities up to July 2006. Fundacin Biodiversa Colombia, Bogot, Colombia.

Poveda, K. 2000. Uso de hbitat de dos grupos de tit de pies blancos (Saguinus leucopus) en Mariquita,
Colombia. Bachelors Thesis, Santaf de Bogot.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Saguinus leucopus published in 2008. 6
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T19819A9019454.en
Poveda, K. and Sanchez-Palomino, P. 2004. Habitat use by the white-footed tamarin, Saguinus leucopus:
a comparison between a forest dwelling group and an urban group in Mariquita, Colombia. Neotropical
Primates 12(1): 6-9.

Poveda, K., Cadena, A. and Snchez, P. 2001. Habitat use of two groups of white footed tamarins
(Saguinus leucopus) in Mariquita, Colombia. Abstracts and Programme: The XVIIIth Congress of the
International Primatological Society, 7-12 January 2001,: 58. Adelaide, South Australia.

Vargas, N. T. 1994. Evaluacin de los poblaciones de primates en dos sectores del Parque Nacional
Natural Las Orquideas. Departamento de Antioquia.

Vargas, N. T. and Solano, C. L. G. 1996. Evaluacin del estado de dos poblaciones de Saguinus leucopus
para determiner areas potenciales de conservacin en un sector de valle del Magdalena Medio,
Colombia. Neotropical Primates 4(1): 13-15.

Vargas, N. T. and Solano, C. L. G. 1996. Evaluation of the condition of two populations of Saguinus
leucopus Gunther, 1817, in order to determine the potential conservation areas in the middle
Magdalena, Colombia. IPS/ASP Congress Abstracts: 373.

Citation
Morales-Jimnez, A.L., Link, A. & Stevenson, P. 2008. Saguinus leucopus. The IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species 2008: e.T19819A9019454.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T19819A9019454.en

Disclaimer
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External Resources
For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Saguinus leucopus published in 2008. 7
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 Appendix

Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

Major
Habitat Season Suitability
Importance?

1. Forest -> 1.5. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Dry - Suitable Yes

1. Forest -> 1.6. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland - Suitable Yes

1. Forest -> 1.9. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane - Suitable Yes

Use and Trade

(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

End Use Local National International

Pets/display animals, horticulture Yes Yes No

Threats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

Threat Timing Scope Severity Impact Score

2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.1. Annual & Ongoing - - -

perennial non-timber crops -> 2.1.1. Shifting
agriculture
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation

2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.1. Annual & Ongoing - - -

perennial non-timber crops -> 2.1.2. Small-holder
farming
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation

2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.3. Livestock farming Ongoing - - -

& ranching -> 2.3.2. Small-holder grazing, ranching or
farming
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation

2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.3. Livestock farming Ongoing - - -

& ranching -> 2.3.3. Agro-industry grazing, ranching
or farming
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation

3. Energy production & mining -> 3.2. Mining & Ongoing - - -

quarrying
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion

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 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation

5. Biological resource use -> 5.1. Hunting & trapping Ongoing - - -

terrestrial animals -> 5.1.1. Intentional use (species is
the target)
Stresses: 2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality

5. Biological resource use -> 5.3. Logging & wood Ongoing - - -

harvesting -> 5.3.5. Motivation
Unknown/Unrecorded
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation

7. Natural system modifications -> 7.2. Dams & water Ongoing - - -

management/use -> 7.2.11. Dams (size unknown)
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation

Conservation Actions in Place

(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

Conservation Actions in Place

In-Place Research, Monitoring and Planning

Systematic monitoring scheme: Yes

In-Place Species Management

Subject to ex-situ conservation: Yes

In-Place Education

Included in international legislation: Yes

Subject to any international management/trade controls: Yes

Conservation Actions Needed

(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

Conservation Actions Needed

1. Land/water protection -> 1.1. Site/area protection

2. Land/water management -> 2.1. Site/area management

3. Species management -> 3.1. Species management -> 3.1.2. Trade management

3. Species management -> 3.4. Ex-situ conservation -> 3.4.1. Captive breeding/artificial propagation

4. Education & awareness -> 4.2. Training

4. Education & awareness -> 4.3. Awareness & communications

Research Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

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 Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.2. Population size, distribution & trends

1. Research -> 1.3. Life history & ecology

1. Research -> 1.5. Threats

1. Research -> 1.6. Actions

3. Monitoring -> 3.1. Population trends

Additional Data Fields

Population
Population severely fragmented: No

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Saguinus leucopus published in 2008. 10
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The IUCN Red List Partnership

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN
Red List Partners are: BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation
International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas
A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London.

THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES