Only one species of guinea pig?

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Andersons

As we are aware there are many species of rat, mice and other rodents that can`t cross breed (as far as I`m aware), but only one species of guinea pig. The various types of sizes and fur types of pig are from the same species.

I`ve often wondered why?

Any ideas?

Anders xx>>>
 
Andersons said:
As we are aware there are many species of rat, mice and other rodents that can`t cross breed (as far as I`m aware), but only one species of guinea pig. The various types of sizes and fur types of pig are from the same species.

I`ve often wondered why?

Any ideas?

Anders xx>>>
Click to expand...

Not sure what you mean. The different colours etc are just minor mutations in their genes. There is only one species of domestic guinea pig but many other species in the family "Caviidae" and another bunch in the genus "Cavia". There's a list here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavia

Within other species of rodents, like guinea pigs, there are lots of variations in colour etc. It's not exclusive to guinea pigs. So there are many different species of cavies that can't interbreed as well as the domestic one we keep as pets.

Does that make any sense? :))
 
Wikipedia talks about other wild species of guinea pig, but there don't seem to be any other species of domesticated guinea pigs. Below is a direct copy / paste from the site (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinea_pig)

Natural habitat

"Cavia porcellus is not found naturally in the wild; it is likely descendant from some closely related species of cavies, such as Cavia aperea, Cavia fulgida, and Cavia tschudii, which are still commonly found in various regions of South America.[1] Some species of cavy identified in the 20th century, such as Cavia anolaimae and Cavia guianae, may be domestic guinea pigs that have become feral by reintroduction into the wild.[8] Wild cavies are found on grassy plains and occupy an ecological niche similar to that of the cow. They are social, living in the wild in small groups which consist of several females (sows), a male (boar), and the young (which in a break with the preceding porcine nomenclature are called pups). They move together in groups (herds) eating grass or other vegetation, and do not store food.[33] While they do not burrow or build nests, they frequently seek shelter in the burrows of other animals, as well as in crevices and tunnels formed by vegetation.[33] They are crepuscular, tending to be most active during dawn and dusk, when it is harder for predators to spot them.[34]"
 
"Guinea pig" is the species as is human or dog or cat. There are many breeds and some cannot breed together as cause deformities ie roans & dalmations etc...
 
Many thanks to all for your contribution to my question which was, in some part answered but in others incomplete.

My question is about species of guinea pigs like species of birds. For example - species of sea gulls are quite varied and as far as I know can`t breed (even if they tried). I`m aware of the multitude of sizes and colours and types of fur in guinea pigs but all are from the same branch and therefore are not different species in their own right.

If there are different species of guinea pig either in the wild or domestic I`d be very interested in seeing them.

Also, have you noticed how there are no films about wild guinea pigs on nature programmes on TV. I`d love to see wild guinea pigs and how they interact. Their colours also interests me.

Wildlife films about mear cats, rats, mice, squirels and beavers abound but it appears there is very little or nothing about wild guinea pigs in South America.

Can anyone shed any light on this question and where i can more information about wild guinea pigs.

Anders, xx>>>
 
Andersons said:
Many thanks to all for your contribution to my question which was, in some part answered but in others incomplete.

My question is about species of guinea pigs like species of birds. For example - species of sea gulls are quite varied and as far as I know can`t breed (even if they tried). I`m aware of the multitude of sizes and colours and types of fur in guinea pigs but all are from the same branch and therefore are not different species in their own right.

If there are different species of guinea pig either in the wild or domestic I`d be very interested in seeing them.

Also, have you noticed how there are no films about wild guinea pigs on nature programmes on TV. I`d love to see wild guinea pigs and how they interact. Their colours also interests me.

Wildlife films about mear cats, rats, mice, squirels and beavers abound but it appears there is very little or nothing about wild guinea pigs in South America.

Can anyone shed any light on this question and where i can more information about wild guinea pigs.

Anders, xx>>>
Click to expand...

You will probably find more success searching for "cavy" than "guinea pig".

Wild Cavies are:
Cavy Porcellus (our domestic guinea pigs)
Cavy Cutleri
Cavy Boliviensis

Each are found in a different part of the world but no wild guinea pigs, naturally occurring, look anything like our little messed up inbred blobs of floof. Wild cavies look more like: http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FH0/AEBF/FD80WTNL/FH0AEBFFD80WTNL.MEDIUM.jpg or a capybarra.

Breed =/= species...

I'm not sure exactly what you're trying to discover beyond what daftscotslass has already told you...
 
I`ve followed through some info on the internet about wild guinea pigs in South America and the possibility of other species of pig.

Their many derivative animals that look like guinea pigs but tests show they are not related to the same branch of domestic pig.

Some sources state that wild guinea pigs are extinct and the only `so called` wild pigs found today are ferrel pigs that have escaped captivity or let loose.

I`m not sure of their accuracy but perhaps this explains the lack of film about wild pigs.

I am still looking but if you have some info please let me know.

Anders, xx>>>
 
I was in the museum the other day and there was an encyclopedia of mammals in the education room so I looked up cavy and there were photos of the wild cavies. There was even a paragraph about how the girl cavy's of one particular species shelter from the rain in small caves / caverns in the side of hills and cliff and the male hangs about at the exit to protect and prevent the females from leaving (I think - don't quote this as fact - I am forgetful!). But there were at least 2 types of wild cavy listed with photos. One of them looked like silver rex type. They looked a bit different (can't pinpoint what but they weren't as cute as domesticated ones).

I don't expect that to be of much help - my memory is shocking, it was only 2 days ago!
 
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