Independent Avian Epigenetic Clocks for Ageing and Development.

ABSTRACT: Information on individual age is a fundamental aspect in many ecological and evolutionary studies. However, accurate and non-lethal methods that can be applied to estimate the age of wild animals are often absent. Furthermore, since the process of ageing is accompanied by a physical decline and the deterioration of biological functions, the biological age often deviates from the chronological age. Epigenetic marks are widely suggested to be associated with this age-related physical decline, and especially changes in DNA methylation are suggested to be reliable age-predictive biomarkers. Here, we developed separate epigenetic clocks for ageing and development in a small passerine bird, the great tit (Parus major). The ageing clock was constructed and evaluated using erythrocyte DNA methylat

SUBMITTER: Haller A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12415945 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature