Octodon degus (Molina 1782): A Model in Comparative Biology and Biomedicine (original) (raw)

The degu (Octodon degus), a diurnal rodent, serves as an important model in comparative biology and biomedicine due to its unique vision capabilities, chronobiological behaviors, and relevance in neurodegenerative disease research. As a rare example among rodents, degus possess a distinct dichromatic vision, showing sensitivity to ultraviolet light, which may serve critical roles in their communication and social behaviors. Furthermore, they demonstrate variable chronotypes, adapting their active periods based on environmental conditions. Recent investigations reveal that degus exhibit similar pathological features to Alzheimer's disease, making them a promising natural model for studying neurodegeneration. Ongoing genomic efforts will enhance understanding of the genetic underpinnings of these traits and facilitate further research into disease mechanisms.