What is Family?
Family comes from the latin familia and it is the rank of biological classification ranked above genus and under order. The term was first used by the French botanist Pierre Magnol in his Prodromus historiae generalis plantarum in quo plantarum per tabulas disponuntur (1689) and was later popularized by Linnaeus. There are no specific agreement between taxonomists when it comes to describing a family. Generally, plants, fungi, and algae end with the suffix "-aceae" and the names of the families of animals end with the suffix "-idae." Given that they are one of the most stable and lower taxonomic levels, they are used evolutionary, paleontological, and generic studies.
Meet the Cavia porcellusThis species, also known domestically as guinea pigs, belong to the family caviidae. They are typically recognized by having a rabbit-like appearance with short bodies and large heads. They range from 22cm up to 134cm in body length and 300grams to 66 kilograms in body weight. They are native to South America and are associated with grasslands, they are also recognized as herbivores. This specific family is also knows for being sexually mature within a few months of birth.
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