Spermophilus dauricus WGS project. Spermophilus dauricus

Spermophilus dauricus is the well characterized ground squirrel in northeast Asia, which belongs to the same genus as those live in North America, e.g., Spermophilus tridecemlineatus. Recent studies showed that during the adaptive interaction with hibernation, Spermophilus dauricus inherited unique functional feathers that are of medical significance, such as its resistance to hypothermia, arrhythmia and hypoxia. The genome sequencing of Spermophilus dauricus may not only explains the interesting zoological phenomenon of hibernation, but also provides an essential basis for exploring the possibility to apply hibernation strategies in clinical medicine.