RNA-seq analysis of archived skin from common bottlenose dolphin health assessments in the northern Gulf of Mexico

Archived skin samples collected during common bottlenose dolphin health assessments in Barataria Bay, LA from 2016 to 2017 were analyzed by RNA-seq to support and enhance the assessment of animal health. The transcriptomic data were analyzed in conjunction with the substantial pool of health and environmental data collected during health assessments to investigate the utility of transcriptomic data in overall assessment of dolphin health and/or as markers of specific health concerns. Overall design: Illumina based RNA-seq analyses were carried out on RNA extracts of skin from 28 archived samples using the Tursiops truncatus NIST Tur_tru v1 genome as a guide. Samples were collected in Barataria Bay, LA during 2016 and 2017.