The moustached tamarin (Saguinus mystax) is a New World monkey and a species of tamarin. The moustached tamarin is named for the lack of coloring in the facial hair surrounding their mouth, appearing similar to a moustache. As with all New World monkeys, the moustached tamarin is found only in areas of Central and South America. Taxonomy There are 3 subspecies of the moustached tamarin: Spix's moustached tamarin, Saguinus mystax mystax White-rumped moustached tamarin, Saguinus mystax pluto Red-capped tamarin, Saguinus mystax pileatus Description Moustached tamarins have a lifespan of about 20 years. They are small, weighing 500 to 600 grams, and range in length from 30 to 92 centimeters, with adult females larger than males. Moustached tamarin monkeys are characterized by white, curly hair around their mouth, similar to a moustache. Their face is flat with almond-like shaped eyes. Their ears are furry and large, and they have long, silky, body hair. They have a brownish-black body with a white moustache and white nose. They have tegula, which are claw-like nails, on each digit except their big toe. These claws allow them to easily cling to trees while they feed. They have conical or spatulate incisors, which are used for cutting food, and are smaller than their canines. The lingual and labial sides of their incisors have a thick layer of enamel. Unlike most New World Monkeys, the moustached tamarin monkey has non-opposable thumbs and lacks a prehensile tail. Vision Heterozygous females, which make up about 60% of the female tamarin population, have trichromatic vision, while the remaining moustached tamarin population have dichromatic vision. Trichromatic vision is the capacity to see a broader range of color due to the presence of three color receptors in the retina, at the back of the eye, allowing them to distinguish between greens, blues and reds. Humans, as well as most species of Old World Monkeys, have trichromatic visual abilities; however, some female New World monkeys do as well. Dichromatic vision is a form of color vision in which only two of the primary colors are perceived. Trichromatic vision is an evolutionary adaptation that enables females to more easily find and identify fruit. Color vision is a contributing factor for leadership selection in troops. Habitat and distribution Moustached tamarins are inhabitants of tropical rainforests in Brazil, Bolivia and Peru. They live in arid, upland forests in the Amazonian lowland, mostly occupying higher tree branches.