Exhibiting mixed-species groups of sympatric tamarins Saguinus spp at Belfast Zoo

Abstract

In the wild sympatric tamarin species show a high degree of spatial co-ordination. Stable associations between Saddleback tamarins Saguinus fuscicollis and members of the Saguinus mystax group (Red-bellied tamarin Saguinus labiatus, Emperor tamarin Saguinus imperator and Moustached tamarin S. mystax) have been observed at all sites where the species co-occur and are related to the stratification of ecological niches within the forest. Since 1992 a study of mixed-species tamarin groups has been carried out at Belfast Zoo. Stable associations were established between groups of S. labiatus and S. fuscicollis, and few agonistic interactions were observed. Most aggression involved disputes over food and typically consisted of S. labiatus displacing S. fuscicollis, merely by approaching. Other interactions included some inter-specific grooming and huddling. This paper describes the introduction procedure and the social and reproductive behaviour of each species within the group, and suggests that mixed-species exhibits may be a beneficial way of exhibiting tamarins.