African mole rats as models for regressive evolution of the eye

• Main Author: Nikitina, Natalya
• Other Authors: Kidson, Sue H
• Format: Doctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2014
• Subjects: Medicine
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/3187

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 152-166). === Darkness-adapted mammals with reduced eyes can serve as valuable models for the study of regressive evolution, as well as for research into the genetic and developmental processes underlying the "degeneration" of the eye. The aim of this work was to characterize two African mole rate species (Heterocephalus glaber and Bathyergus suillus) and explore their potential use as novel models for evolutionary developmental eye research. To this end, this histological structure of the adult eye, the development of the eye and the expression of several molecular markers were investigated. The important abnormal features noted were: the abnormal shape and nuclear distribution in the lens, the extremely large ciliary body and delay in the formation of the anterior chamber compared to other ocular structures.