Hematology and Biochemistry of the Española Lava Lizard (Microlophus delanonis)

Abstract

This paper presents novel baseline health parameters on the Española lava lizard (Microlophus delanonis). Blood samples and morphological measurements were taken on 51 lizards (21 males, 30 females) captured from three locations on the island of Española. Morphologic parameters measured included body weight, snout-vent length, and temperature. Blood samples were analyzed approximately eight hours after collection using a portable blood analyzer (i-STAT) which measured hemoglobin, total CO2, glucose, lactate, sodium, potassium, and ionized calcium. Hematologic characterization data were obtained using standard laboratory techniques. There were significant differences found in snout-vent length, weight, heart rate, respiratory rate, total CO2, and heterophil percentage between males and females. The data presented here can be used to monitor the health of this population of lava lizards as well as help to understand the health of a related species, the San Cristóbal lava lizard (Microlophus bivittatus), which faces different evolutionary pressures including the presence of humans and feral cats. This study continues to widen our understanding of the Microlophus genus; however, further research should be done to characterize the remaining species that inhabit the islands in the Galápagos archipelago.