Global climate changes and the evolution of area suitability for marmosets of genus Callithrix

To evaluate the habitat loss due to climatic changes and their effect on Callithrix diversity in the next few decades, the present study reported the resilience of the Atlantic Rainforest primate genus Callithrix under the perspective of the forecasted climatic changes in South America and the quick-pace of the changing environmental policies in Brazil. The study used the present-day distribution of the Atlantic Rainforest marmosets of the genus Callithrix and several bioclimatic layers to model and project the habitat suitability for all Callithrix species for recent and for the next few decades. The presented results are far from being optimistic. Almost all Callithrix species except for C. jacchus will experience about 30% to 70% reduction of potential habitats between 2040 and 2060. The observed climatic perspective, together with all related anthropogenic threats, and the new conservation policies in Brazil should pose a severe risk of extinction not only for the Atlantic Rainforest marmosets but also for several primate species under similar conditions.