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Parallel epigenetic modifications induced by hatchery rearing in a Pacific salmon
Jérémy Le Luyer1,2, Martin Laporte3, Terry D Beacham4
1Département de Biologie, Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada G1V OA6; jeremy.le.luyer@ifremer.fr.
Summary
Captive rearing of salmon may alter their epigenetics, impacting their survival in the wild. This study reveals epigenetic changes, not just genetic ones, may explain reduced fitness in hatchery-raised fish.
Area of Science:
- * Evolutionary biology and conservation genetics.
- * Investigating the biological mechanisms behind species' population dynamics.
Background:
- * Pacific salmonid populations have declined significantly, leading to large-scale hatchery releases for conservation and fisheries.
- * The effectiveness of these hatchery programs is debated due to reduced fitness observed in hatchery-origin fish when released into the wild.
- * Previous research often attributed this fitness decline to artificial selection acting on genes within hatcheries.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To test the hypothesis that captive rearing induces epigenetic reprogramming, contributing to reduced fitness in hatchery-raised salmon.
- * To compare genome-wide methylation patterns and DNA variation between hatchery-reared and wild coho salmon.
Main Methods:
- * Collected and analyzed genome-wide DNA methylation and variation data from hatchery-reared and wild coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) from two distinct river systems.
- * Utilized comparative epigenomic and genomic analyses to identify differences and similarities in methylation patterns and DNA sequences between groups.
Main Results:
- * Found that the rearing environment (hatchery vs. wild) explained a significant proportion of epigenetic variation, comparable to the river of origin.
- * Identified differentially methylated regions enriched for functions potentially impacting smolt migration success.
- * Observed shared epigenetic variation in hatchery-reared salmon, indicating parallel epigenetic modifications due to captive rearing, even without genetic differentiation.
Conclusions:
- * Epigenetic modifications induced by captive rearing represent a potential mechanism explaining the reduced fitness of hatchery-raised salmon in the wild.
- * This finding suggests that epigenetic factors should be considered alongside genetic factors in evaluating the success of salmonid hatchery programs.
- * Highlights the need for further research into the long-term effects of hatchery environments on salmonid epigenomes and fitness.
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