Epigenetic and Genetic Population Structure is Coupled in a Marine Invertebrate.

ABSTRACT: Delineating the relative influence of genotype and the environment on DNA methylation is critical for characterizing the spectrum of organism fitness as driven by adaptation and phenotypic plasticity. In this study, we integrated genomic and DNA methylation data for two distinct Olympia oyster (Ostrea lurida) populations while controlling for within-generation environmental influences. In addition to providing the first characterization of genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in the oyster genus Ostrea, we identified 3,963 differentially methylated loci between populations. Our results show a clear coupling between genetic and epigenetic patterns of variation, with 27% of variation in interindividual methylation differences explained by genotype. Underlying this association are both direct

SUBMITTER: Silliman K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10468963 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature