Epigenetic signatures of social status in wild female spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta).

ABSTRACT: In mammalian societies, dominance hierarchies translate into inequalities in health, reproductive performance and survival. DNA methylation is thought to mediate the effects of social status on gene expression and phenotypic outcomes, yet a study of social status-specific DNA methylation profiles in different age classes in a wild social mammal is missing. We tested for social status signatures in DNA methylation profiles in wild female spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), cubs and adults, using non-invasively collected gut epithelium samples. In spotted hyena clans, female social status influences access to resources, foraging behavior, health, reproductive performance and survival. We identified 149 differentially methylated regions between 42 high- and low-ranking female spotted hyenas (cu

SUBMITTER: Vullioud C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10978994 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature