Transcriptomics in the wild: hibernation physiology in free-ranging dwarf lemurs

Hibernation is an adaptive strategy some mammals use to survive highly seasonal or unpredictable environments. We present the first investigation on the transcriptomics of hibernation in a natural population of primate hibernators: Crossley’s dwarf lemurs (Cheirogaleus crossleyi). Using capture mark recapture techniques to track the same animals over a period of seven months in Madagascar, we used RNAseq to compare gene expression profiles in white adipose tissue during three distinct physiological states. We also tracked a sympatric population of Sibree's dwarf lemurs (Cheirogaleus sibreei), sampling from two individuals at three physiological states throughout the year and complete RNA-seq analysis on these samples.