A tamarin's tail and specialized hands and feet enable it to move around tree tops with agility and speed.

Species Identification: (click here to view original description)

     Saguinus bicolor bicolor, pied bare-faced tamarin, or bicolored tamarin, as it is more commonly known is a member of the family Callitrichadae, which are the smallest among New World Anthropoids.  The bicolored tamarin is a member of the genus Saguinus and the subgenus Marikina, which contains the true bare-faced tamarins.  The genus Saguinus is divided into 11 species.  This particular tamarin belongs of the species S. bicolor, to which there are three subspecies; S. b. bicolor, S. b. ochraceous, and S. b. martinsi.

The Bicolored Tamarin's dichromatic coat; only one of its distinguishing features. .

     The name, pied bare-faced tamarin was given for the obvious physical markings on the face and coat.  "Pied" because if the contrast between the white and brown pelage that gives the tamarin its dichromatic coat, and "bare-faced" because of its dark and hairless face region. 

     The bicolored tamarins are quadrupedal, arboreal, diurnal animals.  In general, the major physical characteristic that bicolored tamarins exhibit is dichromatic coloring.  The face of the bicolored tamarin is deep, black in color, and is hairless.  S.b. bicolor exhibits bat-like ears, which are very apparent compared to the other subspecies.  Like other New World Monkeys(Infraorder Platyrrhini), they exhibit a flat nose with sideward pointing nostrils, a prehensile tail, and exceptionally dextrous hands. 

     One of the smallest primates, the Saguinus species has an average body length of 7-12 inches (18-30 cm.) and a weight of 8-32 ounces (226-900 g.).  On average, their body size weighs approximately 500 grams in adulthood.  Saguinus bicolor bicolor, has a long tail that is reddish brown and averages 10-17 inches (25-43 cm.) in length, and is used in balance while climbing, leaping, and reaching (Emanoil, 1994).  They have long, pointy hands and feet, and have claw-like nails on all but their big toe.  The big toe is opposable but the thumbs are not (Walker, 1968).  S. b. bicolor is monogamous, and exhibits no sexual dimorphism. 

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