Estudio comparativo del proceso de domesticación del cuy andino (cavia porcellus) frente a los animales de producción de granja tradicionales.

Abstract

Guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) domestication occurred more than two thousand years ago, in the inter-andean region, in order to obtain food for our ancestors and in present this relationship persist for socioeconomic purposes. This work studies and compares the guinea pig domestication processes, versus other traditional farm animals such as: pig (Sus scroffa domesticus), rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), bovine (Bos taurus), and llama (Lama glama). A synthesis of the anthropological, ethological and physiological species changes was made, as well as of productivity and socioeconomic importance. In this interrelation, it can be observed that the domestication processes are similar between all species, but in the guinea pig there is a small difference, because it has not reached a radical change in its behavior and anatomy, since it still retains its nervous temperament and its anatomic conformation is not far away from the wild one. It also has a distance in terms of productivity and socio-economic value compared to pigs, cattle or lama. In conclusion, the guinea pig domestication did not cause a drastic change in the specie, since it still presents similar characteristics to its wild ancestor, except for those that are pets. Nerveless it is an emblematic animal that is essential to study and promote its conservation, since it represents a cultural heritage in our country. Key Words: behavior, domestication, emblematic.