Haematology and biochemistry of the San Cristóbal Lava Lizard (Microlophus bivittatus).

Randall Arguedas,Juan Pablo Muñoz-Pérez,Diane Deresienski,David Steinberg,Kenneth J Lohmann,Carlos A Valle,Gregory A Lewbart

doi:10.1093/conphys/coy046

Abstract

The San Cristóbal lava lizard, Microlophus bivittatus, is one of nine species of lava lizards endemic to the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador. No information presently exists about baseline health parameters for any of these species. We analysed blood samples drawn from 47 lizards (25 males and 22 females) captured at two locations on San Cristóbal Island. A portable blood analyser (iSTAT) was used to obtain near-immediate field results for total CO2, lactate, sodium, potassium, ionized calcium, glucose and haemoglobin. Standard laboratory haematology techniques were employed for differential white blood cell counts and haematocrit determination. Body temperature, heart rate and body measurements were also recorded. We found significant differences in haematocrit values between males and females. The values reported in this study provide baseline data that may be useful in detecting changes in health status among lava lizards affected by natural disturbances or anthropogenic threats. Our findings might also be helpful in future efforts to demonstrate associations between specific biochemical or haematological parameters and disease. Because there are several related species on different islands in the Galápagos archipelago, comparisons between populations and species will be of interest. Lay Summary:Haematology and biochemistry values of the San Cristóbal lava lizard Microlophus bivittatus, along with several other health parameters (morphometrics and temperature), are reported for the first time.

Highlights

Our results provide the first data on the morphometrics, body temperature, biochemistry and haematology of San Cristóbal lava lizards (M. bivittatus)
Morphometrics can be helpful in evaluating cases of disease or environmental stress, as optimal body condition can be calculated using body weight and size (Donoghue, 2006; Lazicet al., 2013)
The measurement of biochemical and haematological parameters can serve as a valuable tool for evaluating and monitoring the health of wild reptile populations (Stacy et al, 2011; Campbell, 2014)

Summary

Introduction

The measurement of biochemical and haematological parameters can serve as a valuable tool for evaluating and monitoring the health of wild reptile populations (Stacy et al, 2011; Campbell, 2014). Without an understanding of typical species-specific (or taxon-specific) variation in biochemical and haematological parameters, researchers are unable to identify potential effects of disease, injury, pollutants or other changing environmental conditions (Lewbart et al, 2015). This issue is important for regions with large numbers of. Microlophus bivittatus (Fig. 1), which is restricted to the island of San Cristóbal and nearby Islote Lobos, inhabits xeric, low-elevation areas, such as coastal scrubland and rocky beaches This lizard is listed as near threatened (Márquez and Cisneros-Heredia, 2016) and is vulnerable to predation by feral cats (Carrión Avilés, 2012; Carrion and Valle, 2018). We report baseline biochemical and haematological values, along with basic physiological measures, for the San Cristóbal lava lizard

Methods

Results

Conclusion