Epigenetic models developed for plains zebras predict age in domestic horses and endangered equids.

ABSTRACT: Effective conservation and management of threatened wildlife populations require an accurate assessment of age structure to estimate demographic trends and population viability. Epigenetic aging models are promising developments because they estimate individual age with high accuracy, accurately predict age in related species, and do not require invasive sampling or intensive long-term studies. Using blood and biopsy samples from known age plains zebras (Equus quagga), we model epigenetic aging using two approaches: the epigenetic clock (EC) and the epigenetic pacemaker (EPM). The plains zebra EC has the potential for broad application within the genus Equus given that five of the seven extant wild species of the genus are threatened. We test the EC's ability to predict age in sister taxa,

SUBMITTER: Larison B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8683477 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature