Cavia Research Articles

Calorific Value of Biogas Obtained by Cavia Porcellus Biomass

The objective of the investigation is to determine the calorific value of the biogas obtained from the biomass of manure from Cavia porcellus (guinea pig), for which a biodigester model Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) with a capacity of 1 m3 was designed and built. The physicochemical properties and the amount of animal biomass to generate biogas were determined. 459 kg of Cavia porcellus manure (guinea pig) was used, the weekly load was 233 L of guinea pig mixture with water in a 30-day retention time. At the end of the process, biogas was obtained with a calorific value of 6 527.3 kcal / m3, corresponding to 72.3% methane with a volume of 1 m3. The method to obtain unconventional energy from biogas produced by animal biomass has environmental advantages and low cost.

A new guinea pig (Rodentia, Caviomorpha) from northwestern Argentina: implications for the origin of the genus Cavia

ABSTRACTWe describe a new caviomorph rodent, Cavia cabrerai, sp. nov. (Caviidae, Caviinae), from the upper levels of Andalhuala Formation (San Fernando Norte locality, Catamarca Province, northwestern Argentina), which represents the oldest fossil record of the genus. The new species differs from extant and extinct species of Cavia by a unique combination of characters: large size, proportionally anteroposteriorly elongated molars, slightly anteroposteriorly compressed prisms, relatively shallow primary lingual flexids, abundant cement in the lingual flexids, and anterolingual widening of the second crests of cheek teeth. A phylogenetic analysis indicates that Cavia cabrerai, sp. nov., is the sister taxon of extant Cavia species and displays dental characters more plesiomorphic than the latter. Some characters of C. cabrerai, sp. nov., namely, compression of prisms and depth of flexids, are morphologically intermediate between the related extinct Caviinae Palaeocavia and the extant species of Cavia. An ash bed dated at 4.72 ± 0.08 Ma that overlies the fossiliferous level of the new material supports the presence of Cavia close to the Miocene-Pliocene boundary. The origin of Cavia may have been triggered by the expansion of relatively open and arid environments that arose near the Miocene-Pliocene boundary.

The acoustic repertoire of Cavia intermedia as a contribution to the understanding of the Caviidae communication system

Wild cavies from the taxon Cavia aperea–Cavia porcellus are known for their extensive use of acoustic signals for communication including a courtship call that is a rarity in Mammalia. The genus Cavia includes an insular species (Cavia intermedia) derived from a continental “asocial” Cavia magna. We hypothesized that the courtship call and all the other 12 acoustic signals previously described for C. aperea–C. porcellus were synapomorphies of the genus and took the opportunity of recording the critically endangered C. intermedia. Four field trips lasting 10 days were conducted in 2008 and 2009. After collecting and analysing nearly 350 sound files of 38 individuals, we found all the 12 calls of wild and domestic cavies previously described, including the courtship call, and a new call, a peep. Despite the presence of the peep, our description of C. intermedia acoustic repertoire showed the evolutionary stability of the acoustic repertoire of this rodent genus of 6 species, even after domestication of C. porcellus and 8000 years under insular selective forces in C. intermedia. We present a discussion about the communicative function of Cavia calls in a comparative context and its repertoire size in accordance with the complexity level of sociality of this caviomorph rodent.

Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Eimeria caviae from Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus)

Coccidiosis in Guinea pigs ( Cavia porcellus ) has been frequently associated with the presence of Eimeria caviae ; however, this coccidium has never been characterized in detail. This study aimed to present the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of E. caviae from guinea pigs reared under rustic breeding conditions in Brazil. Eimeria caviae oocysts are polymorphic, being sub-spherical, ovoidal or ellipsoidal, 20.9 × 17.7 µm, with a smooth or slightly rough and bi-layered wall, ~ 1.0 µm. Micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent, but one polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 10.8 × 6.4 µm. Stieda and parastieda bodies are present, sporocyst residuum is present and sporozoites posses a refractile body and a nucleus. Linear regressions and histograms were performed and confirmed the polymorphism of the oocysts. The internal transcribed spacer 1 of the ribosomal RNA gene (ITS-1 rRNA) of the isolates was sequenced and showed no significant similarity to the orthologous region of other Eimeria species.

Spirulina chitosan gel induction on healing process of Cavia cobaya post extraction socket

Background: Prominent residual ridge is necessary to gain retention and stabilility for succesful prosthodontic treatment such as removable, fixed or implant. Spirulina is a natural substance that can help tissue healing and chitosan also a natural substance that reported to have the ability to help bone remodelling. The combination gel of spirulina and chitosan could be considered as an alternative material to maintain residual ridge height after tooth extraction. Purpose: The aim of study was to examine the effect of combination gel of Spirulina and chitosan on healing process of Cavia cobaya post tooth extraction socket by counting the amount of osteoclast, osteoblast and colagen as an indicator. Methods: Twenty eight cavia cobaya were divided into 4 groups. Insisive mandible extraction was done and the sockets were filled with 3% CMCNa for control groups, 3% spirulina chitosan 200 mg for group 1, 6% spirulina chitosan 200 mg for group 2, 12% spirulina chitosan 200 mg for group 3. After 30 days, histopathology examination was done by using microscope to count the amount of osteoclast, osteoblast and collagen. Results: Data was analyzed by using Anova and Tukey HSD. For osteoclast, there was no significant different between every groups, while for osteoblast and collagen there was significant different between groups. The results showed that induction of combination gel spirulina chitosan was able to accumulate collagen fiber and resulting faster wound healing. Conclusion: Combination 12% gel spirulina chitosan 200 mg could be used as an alternative material for better bone remodeling after tooth extraction. Latar belakang: Residual ridge yang prominen sangat dibutuhkan untuk mendapatkan retensi dan stabilitas untuk menunjang keberhasilan perawatan di bidang prostodonsia seperti pada kasus removable, fixed atau implant. Tindakan pencabutan gigi dapat merusak jaringan periodontal, sementum dan tulang alveolar yang mengakibatkan resorbsi ridge yang besar. Spirulina telah terbukti mempunyai kemampuan untuk membantu penyembuhan tulang sedangkan kitosan mempunyai kemampuan untuk membantu proses pembentukan tulang. Kombinasi kedua bahan ini diharapkan dapat menjadi bahan alternatif untuk mempercepat proses penyembuhan luka dan pembentukan tulang. Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan meneliti efek induksi kombinasi gel dari Spirulina dan kitosan terhadap proses penyembuhan soket pasca ekstraksi gigi Cavia cobaya dengan indikator jumlah osteoklas, osteoblas dan kolagen. Metode: Penelitian ini menggunakan 28 marmot yang dibagi menjadi 4 kelompok penelitian. Pencabutan dilakukan pada incisive rahang bawah kemudian soket pencabutan diisi dengan CMCNa 3% pada kelompok control; spirulina 3% chitosan 200 mg pada kelompok perlakuan 1; spirulina 6 % chitosan 200 mg pada kelompok perlakuan 2, dan spirulina 12% citosan 200 mg pada kelompok perlakuan 3. Pada hari ke 30 dilakukan pemeriksaan histopatologi menggunakan mikroskop untuk menghitung jumlah osteoblas, osteoklas dan kolagen. Hasil: Data dianalisis dengan Anova dan Tukey HSD. Jumlah osteoklas tidak berbeda secara signifikan antara setiap kelompok, sedangkan jumlah osteoblas dan kolagen terdapat perbedaan yang signifikan antara kelompok. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa induksi kombinasi gel spirulina chitosan mampu mengakumulasi serat kolagen dan menghasilkan penyembuhan luka lebih cepat. Simpulan: Kombinasi gel spirulina 12% chitosan 200 mg dapat digunakan sebagai bahan alternatif untuk remodeling tulang yang lebih baik setelah pencabutan gigi.

Combination of Aloe vera and xenograft induction on decreasing of NF-kb of tooth extraction socket preservation in Cavia cobaya

Background: Tooth extraction can naturally cause inflammation triggering osteoclast proliferation and alveolar bone resorption. Preservation of the tooth extraction sockets is needed for patients in order to reduce alveolar bone resorption risks. Aloe vera is known to have anthraquinones components, namely Aloin, Aloe emedin, and barbaloin, considered as anti-inflammation. Therefore, to overcome the inflammation, the role of NF- kb is very significant to decrease nuclear factor kappa b (NF- kb ). As a result, inflammation risks will be decreased. Purpose: The study was aimed to determine the induction effect of combination of Aloe vera and XCB into tooth extraction sockets to reduce inflammation by reducing NF- kb expression, osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Methods: Forty-eight Cavia cobaya were divided into eight groups, each group consisted of six animals. The mandibular incisors of those Cavia cobaya were extracted and induced with either PEG, XCB, Aloe vera, or the combination of Aloe vera + XCB. Those animals were sacrificed on day 7 and day 30 after the extraction. Then immunohistochemical and histopathology examinations were conducted to observe NF- kb expression, osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Results: It was known that in group induced with the combination of Aloe vera and xenograft concelous bovine, the growth of osteoblasts was high, while NF- kb expression and osteoclasts reduced. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the induction of the combination of Aloe vera and XCB into the tooth extraction sockets can reduce NF- kb expression and osteoclast, as a result, alveolar bone resorption risks decrease, and osteoblast increase. Latar belakang: Trauma mekanis akibat pencabutan gigi asli menyebabkan keradangan. Keradangan memicu proliferasi osteoklas sehingga menyebabkan resorpsi tulang alveolararis. Pada pembuatan gigi tiruan, resorpsi tulang alveolar yang terjadi, sangat tidak diinginkan, sebab resorpsi tulang alveolar mengurangi keberhasilan pembuatan gigitiruan. Diperlukan preservasi soket pencabutan gigi asli pada penderita untuk mencegah terjadinya resorpsi tulang alveolar. Aloe vera mempunyai komponen anthraquinon yaitu aloin, Aloe emodin, barbaloin yang merupakan anti inflamasi yang dapat secara cepat menyembuhkan luka, sehingga berpotensi untuk digunakan pada preservasi soket. Didalam mengatasi keradangan peran NF- kb sangat berarti, sebab penurunan NF- kb akan mengurangi terjadinya inflamasi. tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji apakah induksi kombinasi lidah buaya dan XCB ke soket pencabutan gigi dapat mengurangi peradangan dengan mengurangi ekspresi NF - kb , osteoklas dan osteoblast. Metode: Empat puluh delapan ekor Cavia cabaya yang terdiri dari 8 kelompok, tiap kelompok 6 ekor, kelompok pengisian PEG (kontrol), kelompok pengisian XCB, kelompok pengisian aloe vera dan kelompok pengisian kombinasi aloe vera dan XCB, kelompok ini terdiri dari kelompok 7 dan 30 hari, kemudian diperiksa dengan imunohistokimia ekspresi NF- kb dan pemeriksaan histologi untuk osteoblas dan osteoklas. Hasil: Kelompok yang diisi kombinasi Alo vera dan xenograft concelous bovine pada soket pencabutan gigi, menunjukan nilai tertinggi dalam pertumbuhan osteoblas dan penurunan pada ekspresi NF- kb dan osteoklas. Simpulan: Induksi kombinasi Aloe vera dan xenograft concelous bovine pada preservasi soket pencabutan gigi dapat menurunkan ekspresi NF- k B dan osteoklas, menurunkan resiko resorpsi tulang alveolar dan meningkatkan osteoblas.

KARYOTYPE OF HAIRLESS GUINEA PIG

Chromosomal patterns of experimental animals are useful tools for cytogenetics research and animal breeding. Chromosome investigations of the hairless guinea pig are rare, therefore, karyotype of hairless guinea pigs (twelve male and female) was studied using metaphase spreads of bone marrows and G banding techniques. The chromosomes diploid number was 2n= 64 and polymorphism of three type chromosomal pairs were observed in the genus Cavia of Iranian hairless guinea pigs. A karyotype of 24 biarmed pairs and seven pairs of acrocentric chromosomes, 2 of sex chromosomes were also seen. The findings describe the karyology of the hairless guinea pig that is produced by Razi vaccine and serum research institute of Iran that improves our knowledge about laboratory hairless guinea pig and provides basic data for further use of the animal.

Range extension of Cavia tschudii Fitzinger, 1867 (Mammalia: Caviidae) and first record in Catamarca, northwestern Argentina

We report the first record of the genus Cavia and the species Cavia tschudii (Rodentia, Caviidae) in Catamarca province, northwestern Argentina, which represents a range extension of about 110 km southward for the species. The cranial and dental remains were recovered from an owl pellet sample found in eastern slopes of the Ambato range, at 1600 m elevation, in a highland grasslands-Chaco Serrano ecotone. According to the environmental continuity along the Ambato range, we suggest that the presence of C. tschudii in southernmost Catamarca and northern La Rioja province is likely.

Aspects of the commercial hunting of guinea pig - genus Cavia Pallas, 1766 - in Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ

O objetivo de nosso estudo foi compreender a atividade de caça de preás (Cavia sp.) no município de Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ e obter informações sobre a comercialização da carne destes animais. Utilizamos técnicas de entrevistas com questionários e observação participante. Foram entrevistados 14 caçadores e um proprietário de estabelecimento comercial que comercializa a carne dessa espécie. Acompanhamos uma caçada. A caça foi relatada como predominantemente comercial no município, embora apresente características culturais. Todos os informantes revelaram ter conhecimento de que a atividade é ilegal e atribuíram ao IBAMA a fiscalização e coibição da prática no município.

Descrição do sincrânio de Cavia aperea (Rodentia, Caviidae) e comparação com as demais espécies do gênero no Brasil

O gênero Cavia inclui quatro espécies no Brasil, C.aperea (pelo menos duas subespécies, C.a.aperea e C.a.pamparum), C.magna, C.intermedia e C.fulgida. Visando contribuir para o conhecimento da anatomia e para a distinção dessas espécies, descreve-se o sincrânio (crânio e mandíbula) de exemplares de C.a.pamparum do Rio Grande do Sul e compara-se com exemplares de C.magna deste estado e de Santa Catarina, C.intermedia da ilha de Moleques do Sul, na costa catarinense, e C.fulgida de Minas Gerais e Paraná. Cavia aperea possui crânio baixo e longo; rostro comprimido lateralmente; constrição interorbital marcada; órbita elíptica com ampla comunicação com a fossa temporal; forâmen infra-orbital amplo e deprimido; mandíbula longa e baixa, com processo angular não refletido lateralmente; fórmula dentária 1I.0C.1P.3M; dentes hipselodontes; molariformes formados por dois prismas, o anterior laminar e o posterior cordiforme. Cavia aperea distingue-se de C.magna pelo menor desenvolvimento da porção rostral do crânio e da raiz ventral do processo zigomático do maxilar; forâmen infraorbital mais deprimido; porção posterior dos frontais e parietais menos convexos; apófises paraoccipitais mais curtas e curvas anteriormente; incisivos superiores mais estreitos e geralmente opistodontes (proodontes em C.magna); fenda terciária externa (fte) mais profunda e com mais cemento; prolongamento anterior à fte mais desenvolvido e constrição na base do prolongamento posterior. Cavia intermedia possui jugal curto; fossa jugal reduzida/ausente; depressão na região interorbital bem marcada; crista sagital larga; constrição lateral no basisfenóide tênue; forâmen magno amplo; supra-occipital baixo; fte rasa e prolongamento anterior pouco desenvolvido; p4 com prisma posterior tão largo quanto o anterior; m3 com prisma anterior mais largo que o posterior e fenda secundária interna menos profunda. Cavia fulgida caracteriza-se por suas dimensões menores e fte muito profunda. Entretanto, exemplares do sul do Brasil com estes caracteres, mas coloração não típica de C.fulgida, podem pertencer à C.aperea, sendo necessários mais estudos para esclarecer esta questão.

Molecular systematics, taxonomy and biogeography of the genus Cavia (Rodentia: Caviidae)

Phylogenetic analyses were conducted on cytochrome b sequence data of the most geographically and taxonomically broad sampling of Cavia taxa to date. Primary objectives included providing the first extensive molecular phylogenetic framework for the genus, testing the taxonomic and systematic hypotheses of previous authors and providing insight into the evolutionary and biogeographic history of the genus. Support was found for the morphologically defined species C. aperea, C. tschudii, C. magna and C. fulgida and the taxonomic placement of taxa previously subject to conflicting taxonomic opinions (e.g. C. nana, C. anolaimae and C. guianae) was further resolved. Additionally, we elevate the Ecuadorian C. a. patzelti to species status, restrict the distributional limits and suggest taxonomic affiliations of some C. tschudii subspecies, and provide strong evidence for the geographic origin of guinea pig domestication. Finally, we provide an estimated evolutionary timeline for the genus Cavia, which appears to extend well into the late Miocene.

Research on the Etiology of Skin Diseases in Laboratory Animals

The objective of this study was to establish derma tological diseases etiology in laboratory animals. Were examined clinically and de rmatologically a number of 403 rodents of different ages and sexes, respectively 173 guinea p igs ( Cavia porcellus ), 120 rabbits ( Orytolagus cuniculus ), 80 rats ( Rattus norvegicus ) and 30 mice ( Mus musculus ). Dermatological diseases identified in guinea pigs were represented by malop hagosis ( Gliricola porcelli in 111/173 - 64,16%), listrophorosis ( Chirodiscoides caviae in 111/173 - 64,16%), demodicosis ( Demodex caviae in 2/173 - 1,15%) and tricophytosis ( Trichophyton mentagrophytes in 3/173 - 1,73%). Rats were infected only with Notoedres muris (56/80 respectively 70%). In rabbits was diagnosed ( Psoroptes cuniculi in 7/120 - 5,83%), listrophorosis ( Listrophorus gibbus in 2/120 - 1,66%) and cheyletiellosis ( Cheiletiella parasitovorax in 2/120 - 1,66% ). In mice have evolved associate d infestations with Mycoptes musculinus (20/30 - 66,66%), Myobia musculi (12/30 - 40%) and Chirodiscoides caviae (3/30 - 10%). Chirodiscoides caviae, mite with specific parasitism in guinea pig, has be en isolated from mice with skin lesions. Were recorded two zoonotic diseases: tricophytosis and cheyletiellosis.

Genética poblacional de cobayas de Colombia, Cavia spp. (Rodentia: Caviidae) con marcadores moleculares RAPD

The genus Cavia occurs in South America, mainly in grasslands. We collected blood samples from 97 individuals in six field populations and analyzed them with RAPD molecular markers. One wild type (C. anolaimae) was differentiated from the domestic form (C. porcellus), in agreement with other authors who used morphological, osteological and karyotipic results. Genetic diversity was considerable in both species, but higher in C. porcellus. The levels of genetic heterogeneity were also higher among the populations of C. porcellus (F(ST) = 0.254) than among the populations of C. anolaimae (F(ST) = 0.118). These significant levels of genetic heterogeneity, and the low levels of gene flow, were consistent with a complex domestication process for Cavia porcellus.

Age at maturity in cavies: Are precocial mammals different?

In short-lived mammals, age at maturity is a particularly important parameter influencing lifetime fitness. Age at maturity proves highly variable in altricial rodents, but little is known for small precocial rodents of the order Caviomorpha. Even though extreme precociality implies early maturation, female cavies and guinea-pigs (genus Cavia) advance puberty considerably in the presence of males. We briefly review earlier findings and compare them to data from altricial rodents. We report experiments on 2 very similar species of cavy, the dark-backed (C. magna) and the wild cavy (C. aperea). In the dark-backed cavy, we tested whether the male signal responsible for acceleration of maturity is a chemical in urine, as demonstrated for mice. Females exposed twice daily to male urine on their nares matured at the same age (73–75 d) and mass (around 330 g, 4 times birth mass) as females treated with water. Thus, chemicals in urine did not replace the effect of male presence. Two experiments with wild cavies showed that male presence without physical contact was sufficient to accelerate puberty, even though physical interaction leads to even earlier maturation. Presence of a male during the first 10 d of life only did not lead to advanced maturation in young females. Functionally, it may be more correct to speak of a delay in the onset of maturity in the absence of males rather than considering male presence to stimulate early maturation. Comparative evidence suggests that precocial species generally mature earlier than altricials.

Karyotypes of some members of the genus Cavia (Rodentia: Caviidae) from Bolivia

Karyotypes of some members of the genus Cavia (Rodentia: Caviidae) from Bolivia

A new karyotype for the genus Cavia from a southern island of Brazil (Rodentia - Caviidae)

Intraspecific karyotype variation in mammal species is very common and often caused by centromeric fusion of acrocentric chromosomes. We describe here a new karyotype 2n = 62 (FN = 112) for the genus Cavia from the Moleques do Sul Islands, of the southern coast of Brazil. We analyzed two male and four female karyotypes that had twenty-four biarmed pairs and six pairs of acrocentric chromosomes. The sexual pair consisted of a metacentric X-chromosome and a large acrocentric Y. C-bands were found in the centromeric and pericentromeric regions of almost all chromosomes, except for some small biarmed and acrocentric ones. Nucleolus organizer regions appeared in two biarmed chromosomes, and G-banding patterns were also seen.

Evidence for linkage of carbonic anhydrase isozyme genes in the pig-tailed macaque, Macaca nemestrina.

THE mammalian carbonic anhydrase isozymes, CA I (or CA B) and CA II (or CA C), are single polypeptide chain molecules of about 260 amino-acid residues each1 which have been postulated to have arisen by a process of gene duplication between 120 and 300 million years ago2. The possibility that the two structural autosomal loci for these carbonic anhydrases are linked in primates has been discussed previously3 and Carter4 has recently reported genetic evidence for linkage between the CA I and CA II loci in the rodent genus Cavia. Here, we present genetic and biochemical evidence which indicates that the CA I and CA II loci are linked in the pig-tailed macaque, Macaca nemestrina.

New biogeographical distribution of fish Glyptothorax conirostris, G. telchitta and G. cavia (Siluriformes: Sisoridae) in northern plain tributaries of the Ganges basin, India

RESUMEN: Los peces bagre del género Glyptothorax se distribuyen ampliamente, con nada menos que 40 especies nominales reportadas en India, donde normalmente habitan en arroyos de montaña con corrientes rápidas y tramos que fluyen más rápido en ríos y arroyos mas grandes. Registramos una nueva distribución biogeográfica de tres especies de Glyptothorax de las afluentes de las llanuras del norte de la cuenca del Ganges. Los especímenes se recolectaron durante la pesca experimental para estudios de biodiversidad con atarraya (2010-2012). Mientras que G. conirostris se capturó en el canal del río Ganges, G. cavia y G. telchitta fueron capturados en el río Gomti. Descripciones anteriores son basadas en especímenes preservados, presentamos características diagnósticas y redescripción ilustrada basada en especímenes frescos.PALABRAS CLAVE: nueva distribución, Glyptothorax conirostris, G. telchitta, G. cavia, cuenca Ganges, India