Feeding Gum Arabic to New World Monkeys: Species Differences and Palatability

Abstract

AbstractMembers of the New World primate generaCallithrixandCebuellahave specialisations for eating plant exudates. Exudates are also an important component of the diets of many other callitrichid species in the wild, especially at times of nutritional stress. Gum arabic is fed daily to all marmosets and to some tamarins in Jersey Zoo's collection. This study investigated species differences in liking for gum and the effects of the concentration of gum solutions on palatability. As predicted from field data,Callithrixspecies consumed more gum than other species;Saguinusalso showed quite a strong liking for gum. In parallel with data from the wild, lion tamarins(Leontopithecusspp.) consumed the least, andCallimicoalso took relatively little. The two marmoset species tended to like stronger solutions of gum more than weak solutions and, therefore, the provision of smaller amounts of stronger concentrations is likely to be the most cost-effective way of incorporating gum into the diet. Providing gum to callitrichids on a regular basis can have significant welfare benefits.