Migration-related phenotypic divergence is associated with epigenetic modifications in rainbow trout.

ABSTRACT: Migration is essential for the reproduction and survival of many animals, yet little is understood about its underlying molecular mechanisms. We used the salmonid Oncorhynchus mykiss to gain mechanistic insight into smoltification, which is a morphological, physiological and behavioural transition undertaken by juveniles in preparation for seaward migration. O. mykiss is experimentally tractable and displays intra- and interpopulation variation in migration propensity. Migratory individuals can produce nonmigratory progeny and vice versa, indicating a high degree of phenotypic plasticity. One potential way that phenotypic plasticity might be linked to variation in migration-related life history tactics is through epigenetic regulation of gene expression. To explore this, we quantitatively

SUBMITTER: Baerwald MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4641842 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature