Respiratory disease is a key factor affecting the conservation and recovery of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis ) populations. Innovative, minimally invasive tools such as gene transcription–based diagnostics have the potential to improve our understanding of the broad range of factors that can affect the health of wild sheep. Evaluation of transcript levels for genes representative of multiple internal systems enables measurement of physiological responses of individuals as well as populations to environmental stressors such as pathogens, nutritional deficiency, or contaminants. We developed real‐time polymerase chain reaction assays for 14 genes of interest representing systems including inflammation, cell signaling, detoxification, antiviral, antibacterial, or general stress. Initial results from desert bighorn sheep (O. c. nelsoni ) sampled from the River, Muddy, and Bare mountains as well as from the Pintwater Range, in southern Nevada, USA, indicated unique transcript profiles associated with each population. This initial study provides the framework from which controlled variable or longitudinal studies can be made, thus augmenting the potential to inform management actions in the future.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2020 |
---|---|
Title | Gene transcript profiling in desert bighorn sheep |
DOI | 10.1002/wsb.1078 |
Authors | Lizabeth Bowen, Kathleen Longshore, Peregrine Wolff, Robert C. Klinger, Mike Cox, Sarah Bullock, Shannon C. Waters, A. Keith Miles |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
Index ID | 70211959 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Western Ecological Research Center |
Related Content
Lizabeth Bowen
Research Ecologist
Kathleen Longshore
Research Wildlife Biologist
A. Keith Miles
Center Director
Related Content
- Connect
Lizabeth Bowen
Research EcologistEmailPhoneKathleen Longshore
Research Wildlife BiologistEmailPhoneA. Keith Miles
Center DirectorEmail