Spontaneous zinc deficiency in marmosets, saguinus mystax.

Moustached marmosets, Saguinus mystax, exhibited symptoms of alopecia, skin lesions, and general debilitation approximately 6 months after arriving at the laboratory, which were similar to zinc deficiency signs observed in other animals. Despite being fed a commercial monkey diet with 150 ppm zinc and fruits, the marmosets showed these deficiencies. The study found that adding 40 ppm zinc to their drinking water improved their hair coat and skin condition, suggesting that the initial diet was insufficient in zinc for these marmosets.