Phylogenetics of pygmy marmosets

A new paper published in Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution evaluates whether the molecular evidence supports the existence of two marmoset subspecies: Cebuella pygmaea pygmaea and C. p. niveiventris. Pygmy marmosets are a type of New World Monkey from South America. They are primarily known for being one of the smallest primates in the world, weighing in at an average of 119 grams. Using new molecular evidence and a sequencing technique called ddRADseq, the authors found support for two clades of marmoset, one from the Japura basin and another from the south of the Rio Solimões.  The authors claim that the two clades diverged around 2-3 million years ago.

Click here for the full paper, and here for the ScienceDaily article.

- Angie