Species and population specific gene expression in blood transcriptomes of marine turtles

In this study we identify orthologous expressed genes shared in non-invasively collected blood samples of four species of Pacific marine turtles, and compare gene expression of these shared genes between species. We also perform differential gene expression analysis using three populations of green turtles. The study goals are to evaluate the utility of blood in transcriptomic studies of non-model organisms, and describe differences among marine turtle species and populations at the level of gene expression.