Galea (genus)
| Galea Temporal range: Recent
| |
|---|---|
| |
| G. monasteriensis | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Caviidae |
| Subfamily: | Caviinae |
| Genus: | Galea Meyen, 1832 |
| Type species | |
Galea musteloides
, 1832 | |
| Species | |
|
Galea comes | |
Galea is a genus of South American rodents of the family Caviidae.[1] 5-6 extant species are known, found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru and Brazil. They are:
- Southern highland yellow-toothed cavy (G. comes)[2]
- Brazilian yellow-toothed cavy (G. flavidens)
- G. leucoblephara)[3]
- Common yellow-toothed cavy (G. musteloides)
- Muenster yellow-toothed cavy (G. m. monasteriensis or G. monasteriensis?)[4]
- Spix's yellow-toothed cavy (G. spixii)
Galea has until recently been considered to have only three species; the Muenster yellow-toothed cavy was only described in 2004. G. flavidens is monotypic and G. musteloides and G. spixii are polytypic.[5]
Galea is in the family Caviidae and its members are described as cavies; they have sometimes also been called "guinea pigs". Cavies are widespread throughout South America. The high diversity of habitats of different species is paralleled by a high diversity of social organizations. Species differences between habitats and reproduction may shed light on evolutionary history.[6]
Galea breeds at multiple times of year that are not strongly constrained by food availability or climate. The gestation period is 48 days and litter size is 2 to 4, both less than those of the guinea pig. Placental development in Galea is very similar to that of the guinea pig.[7]
Galea species usually have smaller body size but the relative sizes of their