| Montane guinea pig | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Caviidae |
| Genus: | Cavia |
| Species: | C. tschudii |
| Binomial name | |
| Cavia tschudii | |
Themontane guinea pig (Cavia tschudii) is a species ofcaviidrodent found in theAndes in South America. The montane guinea pig is the likely main ancestor ofCavia porcellus, the domesticguinea pig or domestic cavy, which appears to be a hybrid that includes lesser genetic contributions from otherCavia species.[3]
Peruvian wild guinea pigs were first described byE. T. Bennett in 1835, who termed themCavia cutleri.J. J. Tschudi, in an 1845 publication, used the termCavia cutleri to refer to what are now considered two separate species: The first, Bennett'sCavia cutleri, which was later identified (byO. Thomas in 1917) as probably a differently-pigmented version ofCavia porcellus, and the second, a wild Peruvian guinea pig that was clearly different from the animal Bennett described.[3] In 1867,[2]L. Fitzinger renamed the clearly wild guinea pigCavia tschudii.[3]
The montane guinea pig is a medium-sized species, growing to a total length of 247 mm (9.7 in). Their colour varies in different parts of the range; in Peru, the dorsal fur is dark reddish-brown mixed with black, and the underparts are dark buffy-grey; in Chile, the dorsal surface is pale agouti brown with paler underparts; in Bolivia, the upper parts are agouti olive and the underparts creamy-white or white.[4][5]
The montane guinea pig is native to the highAndes in South America. Its range extends from Peru southward to theTarapacá Region of Chile and theTucumán Province of Argentina. Its altitude range is 2,000 to 3,800 metres (6,600 to 12,500 ft) above sea level. It lives in moist habitats with rocks and coarse vegetation, making runways through the foliage. In Argentina it lives in burrows with several entrances.[4]
The montane guinea pig has a gestation period around 63 days. Litter size ranges from one to four, and the young grow quickly, becoming independent at 2 months of age.[4]
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)"ibid".Op Cit.56:57–168.