Researchers Discover New Species of Marmoset in Brazilian Rain Forest

Brazilian researchers have discovered a new species of marmoset in South America's tropical rain forest, the sixth new species of the primitive primates to be discovered there since 1990.

The new species of squirrel-sized tree dweller has been named Callithrix saterei for a group of Indians indigenous to the area of the Brazilian Amazon where the animals were found. Brazil is home to almost 30% of the 250 known primate species.

"This discovery . . . shows how ignorant we still are of our fellow species--even a well-studied group such as our closest relatives, the primates," said Russell A. Mittermeier, president of Conservation International.