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Skin Colour in Salamanders Is Modulated by Both Epitranscriptomic Methylation and Gene Expression
Nicholas Strowbridge1, David R Vieites2, Michael G Ritchie3
1School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, School of Biodiversity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Molecular Ecology
|March 20, 2026
Summary
This study reveals RNA methylation and gene expression drive amphibian colour diversity in fire salamanders. These molecular mechanisms influence pigmentation, impacting the ecology of these non-model organisms.
Area of Science:
- * Organismal biology and evolutionary developmental biology.
- * Focus on amphibian colouration and its ecological significance.
- * Exploration of molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypic variation.
Background:
- * Animal colouration plays crucial roles in selection, competition, and communication.
- * Amphibian colour diversity is ecologically important but molecular bases are poorly understood.
- * Epigenetic and epitranscriptomic roles in colour variation remain largely unexplored, especially in non-model organisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- * Investigate molecular mechanisms, including RNA methylation and gene expression, behind colour variation in fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra).
- * Identify specific genes and pathways contributing to differences in black, yellow, and brown skin pigmentation.
- * Explore the relationship between RNA methylation, gene expression, and observed colour differences.
Main Methods:
- * Utilized long-read direct RNA sequencing on fire salamanders with distinct colour morphs.
- * Analyzed differential gene expression and differential gene methylation across colour variations.
- * Correlated RNA methylation patterns with gene expression levels and pigmentation traits.
Main Results:
- * Identified 129 differentially expressed genes and 281 differentially methylated genes across colour comparisons.
- * Found significant involvement of pigmentation-related genes, including those for melanin production (e.g., MLANA, PMEL, TYR, TYRP1).
- * Observed a positive correlation and overlap between differentially methylated and differentially expressed transcripts.
Conclusions:
- * Both gene expression and RNA methylation significantly contribute to amphibian colour diversity.
- * RNA modifications represent a promising avenue for studying morphological variation in non-model species.
- * Findings provide insights into the molecular basis of colour and its ecological implications in salamanders.
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