Pollution induces epigenetic effects that are stably transmitted across multiple generations
Ewan Harney1,2, Steve Paterson1, Hélène Collin1
1Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences University of Liverpool Liverpool L69 7ZB United Kingdom.
Evolution Letters
|April 7, 2022
Summary
Pollutants can cause lasting epigenetic changes in Daphnia, affecting traits for over 15 generations even after pollutant removal. These transgenerational epigenetic effects highlight pollutant impacts on population adaptation and survival.
Area of Science:
- Environmental epigenetics
- Ecotoxicology
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Epigenetic inheritance offers a mechanism for pollutant effects to persist across generations.
- Evidence for pollutant-induced persistent epigenetic effects in animals remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if low-dose pollutants induce stable, transgenerational epigenetic changes in Daphnia pulex.
- To determine the persistence of these epigenetic modifications after pollutant removal.
Main Methods:
- Exposing Daphnia pulex to common pollutants at low doses.
- Comparing genome-wide cytosine methylation patterns between exposed and control populations.
- Assessing life history effects across generations post-pollutant exposure.
Main Results:
- Pollutants induced genome-wide cytosine methylation differences in Daphnia.
- Some methylation changes persisted for over 15 generations, even after pollutant removal.
- Life history effects were observed for at least three generations after pollutant removal.
Conclusions:
- Low-dose pollutants can induce stable, transgenerational epigenetic effects in aquatic invertebrates.
- These persistent epigenetic modifications can influence population adaptation and survival in response to environmental stressors.
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