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Between-Generation Phenotypic and Epigenetic Stability in a Clonal Snail.

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Epigenetic variation in freshwater snails influences adaptive shell shape across generations. DNA methylation patterns show stability, suggesting a role in transgenerational plasticity for shell shape adaptation.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Developmental plasticity

Background:

  • Epigenetic variation can drive adaptive phenotypes through developmental plasticity or parental effects.
  • These mechanisms are crucial in organisms with limited genetic variation.
  • The role of epigenetics in transgenerational plasticity and heritable polymorphism is under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the stability of adaptive shell shape and DNA methylation across generations in a clonal freshwater snail.
  • To investigate the potential role of DNA methylation in transgenerational plasticity of adaptive phenotypes.

Main Methods:

  • Raising three generations of Potamopyrgus antipodarum snails adapted to river currents in a laboratory setting without current.
  • Analyzing the stability of shell shape and DNA methylation patterns across generations.

Main Results:

  • Habitat-specific adaptive shell shape remained relatively stable but showed a slight shift towards a no-current phenotype over two generations.
  • DNA methylation specific to high-current environments was stable across one generation.
  • This study provides the first evidence of DNA methylation pattern stability across one generation in an asexual organism.

Conclusions:

  • Adaptive shell shape variation is likely influenced by transgenerational plasticity.
  • DNA methylation may provide a mechanism for the stability of adaptive shell shape across generations.
  • Epigenetic mechanisms are important for rapid adaptation in a changing environment.