Guinea pig

Cavia porcellus

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Cavia aperea

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Cavia tschudii

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Cavia guianae

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Cavia anolaimae

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Cavia nana

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Cavia fulgida

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Cavia magna

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Guinea pigs (also called cavies) are rodents belonging to the family Caviidae and the genus Cavia. Guinea pigs 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.

Related Topics:
Rodents - Mitochondrial DNA - Hystricognathi - Evolution

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Despite their common name, the animals are not pigs, nor do they come from Guinea. Although there are more than 20 different species, the one most familiar to people is C. porcellus, the common guinea pig. The majority of information in this article is about the common guinea pig.

Related Topics:
Pig - Guinea

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