University of Nebraska Callitrichid Research Center - Omaha, Nebraska university animal research center

The Callitrichid Research Center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is an animal research center that focuses on animal behavior and hormones among callitrichids, better known as marmosets and tamarins. Established in 1983, the Callitrichid Research Center is funded by grants from a variety of private and public sources. The Research Center does work on the reproductive biology and behavior of endangered callitrichids.

The Callitricdhid Research Center began in 1983 with preliminary funding provided by the University of Nebraska Omaha. The University provided several small grants that allowed the research center to gather preliminary data and research in support of attracting larger grants.

In 1987, the research center attracted a 2-year $50,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health. The grant funded research into the biology and reproductive behavior of primates that may be invaluable in better understanding nurturing behavior and helping zoo keepers and administrators around the world better support captive breeding and conservation programs with primates and marsupials. The National Institutes of Health have continued to provide funding for specific projects at the Callitrichid Research Center. Most recently, the NIH is funding a five-year project on offspring development and nurturing.

The research undertaken at the Callitrichid Research Center has been published in many papers and other publications, including a booklet on the care of marmosets and tamarins intended for any zoo or exhibit caring for those particular animals. The language is simple to understand and the guide explains in no-nonsense terms how to enrich and support callitrichids in captivity. Since 1989, the Callitrichid Research Center has been funded by the National Science Foundation through the Animal Behavior Program. The current grant funding is a continuation of projects begun in 2001 to study child-rearing behavior in marmosets.

Marmosets are new world monkeys, generally about the size of a common tree squirrel. They are monogamous, and engage in community child-rearing where all members of a marmoset colony are involved in caring for the young at various stages of the children's lives. The Callitrichid Research Center has been responsible for numerous discoveries about the behavior and biology of reproduction among these monkeys because their marmoset colony, established in 1991, is now three to four generations old.

The Callitrichid Research Center is not open to the public on any regular basis, but tours can be arranged for those interested in learning more about these primates. For more information about the Callitrichid Research Center, contact Director Jeffrey French at 402-554-2558.