Cavia is a genus in the Caviinae subfamily that contains the rodents commonly known as guinea pigs. The most well-known species in this genus is the domestic guinea pig, Cavia porcellus and important meat animal and common household pet.
| Guinea pigs Temporal range: Middle Pleistocene - Recent
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| Cavia porcellus | |
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| Genus: | Pallas, 1766
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Cavia aperea | |
Cavia are classified in order Rodentia, although there is a minority belief in the scientific community that evidence from mitochondrial DNA indicates that the Hystricognathi may belong to a different evolutionary offshoot and therefore a different order.[1]
Species
- Cavia aperea – Brazilian Guinea Pig: widespread east of the Andes
- Cavia fulgida – Shiny Guinea Pig: eastern Brazil
- Cavia magna – Greater Guinea Pig: Uruguay, south-east Brazil
- Cavia porcellus – Domestic Guinea Pig: wild ancestor unknown
- Cavia tschudii – Montane Guinea Pig: Peru south to northern Chile and north-west Argentina
References
- ^ Stiefel, Chana Freeiman (1996). "Family feud - genetic evidence seems to show that guinea pigs are not rodents". Science World. Retrieved 2006-08-29.
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