Epigenetic divergence during early stages of speciation in an African crater lake cichlid fish.

ABSTRACT: Epigenetic variation can alter transcription and promote phenotypic divergence between populations facing different environmental challenges. Here, we assess the epigenetic basis of diversification during the early stages of speciation. Specifically, we focus on the extent and functional relevance of DNA methylome divergence in the very young radiation of Astatotilapia calliptera in crater Lake Masoko, southern Tanzania. Our study focuses on two lake ecomorphs that diverged approximately 1,000 years ago and a population in the nearby river from which they separated approximately 10,000 years ago. The two lake ecomorphs show no fixed genetic differentiation, yet are characterized by different morphologies, depth preferences and diets. We report extensive genome-wide methylome divergence bet

SUBMITTER: Vernaz G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9715432 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature