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Integrating Gene Transcription-Based Biomarkers to Understand Desert Tortoise and Ecosystem Health

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Abstract

Tortoises are susceptible to a wide variety of environmental stressors, and the influence of human disturbances on health and survival of tortoises is difficult to detect. As an addition to current diagnostic methods for desert tortoises, we have developed the first leukocyte gene transcription biomarker panel for the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), enhancing the ability to identify specific environmental conditions potentially linked to declining animal health. Blood leukocyte transcript profiles have the potential to identify physiologically stressed animals in lieu of clinical signs. For desert tortoises, the gene transcript profile included a combination of immune or detoxification response genes with the potential to be modified by biological or physical injury and consequently provide information on the type and magnitude of stressors present in the animal’s habitat. Blood from 64 wild adult tortoises at three sites in Clark County, NV, and San Bernardino, CA, and from 19 captive tortoises in Clark County, NV, was collected and evaluated for genes indicative of physiological status. Statistical analysis using a priori groupings indicated significant differences among groups for several genes, while multidimensional scaling and cluster analyses of transcription C T values indicated strong differentiation of a large cluster and multiple outlying individual tortoises or small clusters in multidimensional space. These analyses highlight the effectiveness of the gene panel at detecting environmental perturbations as well as providing guidance in determining the health of the desert tortoise.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by A. Modlin, R. Lamkin, F. Chen, V. Van Zerr, A. Berger, P. Emblidge, C. Aiello, R. Saulino, J. Lopez, Z. Cava, S. Lauricella, C. Everly, R. Averill-Murray, J. Johnson, N. Lamberski, R. Foster, and numerous others in assisting with sample collection, logistics, and expertise. This project was conducted under permits TE-030659, TE-102235, SCP-011076, and SCP-33762, and was supported by the US Department of Defense, Ft. Irwin, California, San Diego Zoo, and the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center. Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes and does not imply endorsement by the US government.

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  1. United States Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, University of California, Davis Field Station, The Barn, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA

    Lizabeth Bowen, A. Keith Miles, K. Kristina Drake & Shannon C. Waters

  2. United States Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Nevada Field Stations, Henderson, NV, USA

    K. Kristina Drake, Todd C. Esque & Kenneth E. Nussear

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  1. Lizabeth Bowen
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Correspondence to Lizabeth Bowen.

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Bowen, L., Miles, A.K., Drake, K.K. et al. Integrating Gene Transcription-Based Biomarkers to Understand Desert Tortoise and Ecosystem Health. EcoHealth 12, 501–512 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-014-0998-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-014-0998-8

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