Effect of a locally adapted genome on environmentally induced epigenetic variation.

ABSTRACT: Both genetic variation and environmentally induced epigenetic changes allow organisms to persist through the heterogeneity of their habitats. Selection on genetic variation can promote local adaptation of populations. However, in absence of genetic variation, clonal organisms mostly rely on epigenetics to respond to environmental heterogeneity. We used the potential of unisexual organisms in incorporating their host genome, to empirically assess whether the presence of a locally adapted genome affects environmentally induced epigenetic changes in clonal organisms. We addressed this problematic by using unisexual lineages of the kleptogen vertebrate Ambystoma laterale-jeffersonianum complex that can optionally incorporate genetic material from locally adapted sexual hosts through gen

SUBMITTER: Beauregard F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6255975 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature