Notes on the foraging of spiders by marmosets (Primates: Callitrichidae) in an urban environment in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

Callithrix penicillata, the marmosets, were introduced in several areas of Brazil and established themselves as invaders causing environmental imbalance in the native fauna. The diet of marmosets is quite broad and includes small arthropods, such as spiders, which play a fundamental role in the ecosystem. To capture web spiders, marmosets have been observed to exhibit two main strategies that are clearly learned and perfected with age.