Naslov
The role of epigenetic processes in plasticity and genetic assimilation during cave colonization

Autori
Čupić, Mateo ; Bedek, Jana ; Bilandžija, Helena

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, neobjavljeni rad, znanstveni

Skup
GS9: Epigenomics in Evolution

Mjesto i datum
Online ; Auckland, Novi Zeland, 28.02.2023

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Podatak o recenziji nije dostupan

Ključne riječi
Astyanax ; Asellus ; pigmentation ; adaptive ; maladptive

Sažetak
Phenotypic plasticity plays a critical role in the adaptation of organisms to new environments and can facilitate the emergence of new phenotypes and speciation. We study the transition of surface animals to a cave environment characterized by extreme conditions such as complete darkness and limited nutrients. We use the teleost fish Astyanax mexicanus and the isopod crustacean Asellus aquaticus, which exhibit both the ancestral surface form and the derived cave form. The cave morphs show numerous adaptations, most notably the loss of pigment and eyes. By exposing the surface forms of both species to complete darkness under laboratory conditions, we observed molecular and phenotypic changes. Most phenotypes of the surface forms kept in the dark changed toward the cave phenotype. We also found some changes going in the opposite direction, suggesting that both maladaptive and adaptive plasticity play a role in adaptation to cave environments. Whether this random adaptive outcome depends on a specific epigenetic process remains to be seen. In contrast, most phenotypes of cave forms remained unchanged, i.e., they are canalized. We hypothesize that epigenetic changes underlie the extensive phenotypic plasticity in the surface forms and expect that epigenetic changes will be less pronounced in the cave forms exposed to total darkness than in the control light/dark conditions. Our current experiments are focused on identifying the type of epigenetic molecules involved in plasticity and genetic assimilation in our model organisms.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

POVEZANOST RADA