Leontocebus Rosalia is a species of South American monkey commonly known as the golden lion tamarin. The spelling of the word Leontocebus Rosalia can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The word is pronounced as /liːˈɒntəsiːbəs roʊˈzeɪliə/. The stress falls on the second syllable of Leontocebus and the first syllable of Rosalia. The spelling of the word is derived from Latin and Greek roots, with "leonto-" meaning lion and "-cebus" meaning monkey.
Leontocebus rosalia, commonly known as golden lion tamarin, is a small New World monkey species belonging to the family Callitrichidae. This primate is primarily found in the Atlantic coastal rainforests of Brazil, specifically in the states of Espirito Santo and Rio de Janeiro.
The golden lion tamarin is recognized for its striking appearance, characterized by a vibrant coat of reddish-orange or golden fur and a long, luxuriant mane surrounding its face. It possesses a compact body structure, with an average length of approximately 26 centimeters, excluding its long tail which measures around 34 centimeters. These monkeys weigh between 620 to 710 grams on average.
These arboreal creatures are highly social and live in organized family groups known as troops, consisting of a monogamous breeding pair and their offspring. They are diurnal, spending the majority of their active hours foraging for fruits, nectar, insects, small vertebrates, and plant exudates within their forest habitat.
Leontocebus rosalia is considered an endangered species due to habitat destruction caused by urbanization, agricultural expansion, and logging activities. Additionally, they face other significant threats such as fragmentation, illegal capture for the pet trade, and vulnerability to diseases carried by domestic animals.
Conservation efforts have been implemented to protect the golden lion tamarin, including the establishment of protected areas and captive breeding programs. These initiatives aim to preserve this species' population and restore their natural habitat to ensure their long-term survival in the wild.
The word "Leontocebus Rosalia" has a biological taxonomical etymology as it is the scientific name of a species of monkey known as the golden lion tamarin.
The term "Leontocebus" is derived from Greek roots. "Leonto" comes from the Greek word "leon", meaning lion, and "cebus" is derived from "kebos", meaning a small, long-tailed monkey. Therefore, "Leontocebus" can be translated as "lion monkey" or "lion-like monkey".
The species name "Rosalia" is derived from the Latin word "rosalia", meaning rose. This name was given due to the golden lion tamarin's distinctive bright orange fur, which resembles the color of a rose.
So, the scientific name "Leontocebus Rosalia" reflects the monkey's lion-like appearance and its rosy-orange fur.