Microcavia Australis

TOGNELLI, MARCELO; CLAUDIA MONICA CAMPOS; OJEDA, RICARDO ALBERTO

Mammalian Species

Lugar: Northampton, MA; Año: 2001 p. 1 - 4

<!-- @page { size: 21cm 29.7cm; margin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm } --> The following characteristics distinguish Microcaviaaustralis from other members of the Caviinae: incisors orthodont, pelage grayish yellow with speckled appearance and paler ventrum, and large eyes with surrounding white ring. GENERAL CHARACTERS. The southern cavy is a medium-sized tailless rodent with short, smooth pelage. The dorsum is olive gray agouti; venter is pale gray. Individuals captured in different locations show differences in pelage color, which seem to be independent of age, sex, locality, or season (Cabrera, 1953). M. australis has small rounded ears. The eyes are large and surrounded by a conspicuous white ring (Fig. 1). Adults lack the submandibular gland present in the closely related Galeamusteloides. External measurements (in mm) of adult cavies from different locations in Argentina are (means, ranges, and sample size): males, total length, 194 (170-235), n = 7; length of hind foot, 41.9 (37.6-50), n = 6; length of ear, 14.2 (14-19.4), n = 7; females, total length, 181 (176-185), n = 3; length of hind foot, 40.6 (38.8-43), n = 3; and length of ear, 16.5 (15-18.4), n = 3 (Cabrera, 1953). Adults weigh 200-326 g (Rood, 1970; Mares et al., 1981).