title: Octodon degus (Molina 1782): a model in comparative biology and biomedicine.
abstract: One major goal of integrative and comparative biology is to understand and explain the interaction between the performance and behavior of animals in their natural environment. The Caviomorph, Octodon degu, is a native rodent species from Chile, and represents a unique model to study physiological and behavioral traits, including cognitive and sensory abilities. Degus live in colonies and have a well-structured social organization, with a mostly diurnal-crepuscular circadian activity pattern. More notable is the fact that in captivity, they reproduce and live between 5 and 7 yr and show hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases (including Alzheimer's disease), diabetes, and cancer.
authors.affiliation: Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, 2360102 Valparaíso, Chile.
authors.forename: Alvaro O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Ardiles
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ewer
authors.forename: Monica L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Acosta
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kirkwood
authors.forename: Agustin D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Luis A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Ebensperger
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bozinovic
authors.forename: Theresa M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Adrian G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Palacios
mesh_terms: D000717:Anatomy, Comparative; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods*; D023421:Models, Animal; D046329:Octodon / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D010828:Physiology, Comparative
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