Epigenetic Variation May Compensate for Decreased Genetic Variation with Introductions: A Case Study Using House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) on Two Continents

Authors

Aaron W. Schrey, University of South Florida
Courtney A. C. Coon, University of South Florida
Michael T. Grispo, University of South Florida
Mohammed Awad, University of South Florida
Titus Imboma, National Museum of Kenya
Earl D. McCoy, University of South FloridaFollow
Henry R. Mushinsky, University of South FloridaFollow
Christina L. Richards, University of South FloridaFollow
Lynn B. Martin, University of South FloridaFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2012

Keywords

Epigenetics, Genetic variation, House Sparrows (Passer domesticus)

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/979751

Abstract

Epigenetic mechanisms impact several phenotypic traits and may be important for ecology and evolution. The introduced house sparrow (Passer domesticus) exhibits extensive phenotypic variation among and within populations. We screened methylation in populations from Kenya and Florida to determine if methylation varied among populations, varied with introduction history (Kenyan invasion < 50 years old, Florida invasion ~150 years old), and could potentially compensate for decrease genetic variation with introductions. While recent literature has speculated on the importance of epigenetic effects for biological invasions, this is the first such study among wild vertebrates. Methylation was more frequent in Nairobi, and outlier loci suggest that populations may be differentiated. Methylation diversity was similar between populations, in spite of known lower genetic diversity in Nairobi, which suggests that epigenetic variation may compensate for decreased genetic diversity as a source of phenotypic variation during introduction. Our results suggest that methylation differences may be common among house sparrows, but research is needed to discern whether methylation impacts phenotypic variation.

Rights Information

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Was this content written or created while at USF?

Yes

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Genetics Research International, v. 2012, art. 979751

Scholar Commons Citation

Schrey, Aaron W.; Coon, Courtney A. C.; Grispo, Michael T.; Awad, Mohammed; Imboma, Titus; McCoy, Earl D.; Mushinsky, Henry R.; Richards, Christina L.; and Martin, Lynn B., "Epigenetic Variation May Compensate for Decreased Genetic Variation with Introductions: A Case Study Using House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) on Two Continents" (2012). Integrative Biology Faculty and Staff Publications. 36.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/bin_facpub/36