Ricardo Ojeda's degu (O. ricardojedai), which is found in Argentina and Chile, was formerly considered a population of O. bridgesii, but was described as a distinct species in 2020.[5]
Bridges's degu has deep molar indentations and has a deep fold on the inside of the last molar.[7]
Habitat
The species is less widely distributed in Chile than the common degu and inhabits rocky, forested areas[7] and some open farmland,[3] although it is far less well adapted for digging[6] but does have some climbing ability.[8]Deforestation may be contributing to the decline of this species.[6]
^ abSaavedra, B.; Simonetti, J. (2003), "Holocene distribution of Octodontid rodents in central Chile", Revista Chilena de Historia Natural, 76 (3): 383–389, doi:10.4067/s0716-078x2003000300004
^Palma, R.E. (2007), "Estado actual de la mastozoologia en Chile", Mastozoologia Neotropical, 14: 5–9
^Gallardo-Santis, A.; Simonetti, J.A.; Vásquez, R.A. (2005), "Influences of tree diameter on climbing ability of small mammals", Journal of Mammalogy, 86 (5): 969–973, doi:10.1644/1545-1542(2005)86[969:iotdoc]2.0.co;2