Relationships between phenotypic plasticity and epigenetic variation in two Caribbean Acropora corals

Serena Hackerott; Francesca Virdis; Peter J. Flood; Daniel Garcia Souto; Wendy Paez; Jose M. Eirin‐Lopez

doi:10.1111/mec.17072

journal article Jul 16, 2023

Relationships between phenotypic plasticity and epigenetic variation in two Caribbean Acropora corals

Serena Hackerott

Francesca Virdis

Peter J. Flood

Daniel Garcia Souto

Wendy Paez Jose M. Eirin‐Lopez

Molecular Ecology Vol. 32 No. 17 pp. 4814-4828 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1111/mec.17072

Abstract

AbstractThe plastic ability for a range of phenotypes to be exhibited by the same genotype allows organisms to respond to environmental variation and may modulate fitness in novel environments. Differing capacities for phenotypic plasticity within a population, apparent as genotype by environment interactions (GxE), can therefore have both ecological and evolutionary implications. Epigenetic gene regulation alters gene function in response to environmental cues without changes to the underlying genetic sequence and likely mediates phenotypic variation. DNA methylation is currently the most well described epigenetic mechanism and is related to transcriptional homeostasis in invertebrates. However, evidence quantitatively linking variation in DNA methylation with that of phenotype is lacking in some taxa, including reef‐building corals. In this study, spatial and seasonal environmental variation in Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands was utilized to assess relationships between physiology and DNA methylation profiles within genetic clones across different genotypes of Acropora cervicornis and A. palmata corals. The physiology of both species was highly influenced by environmental variation compared to the effect of genotype. GxE effects on phenotype were only apparent in A. cervicornis. DNA methylation in both species differed between genotypes and seasons and epigenetic variation was significantly related to coral physiological metrics. Furthermore, plastic shifts in physiology across seasons were significantly positively correlated with shifts in DNA methylation profiles in both species. These results highlight the dynamic influence of environmental conditions and genetic constraints on the physiology of two important Caribbean coral species. Additionally, this study provides quantitative support for the role of epigenetic DNA methylation in mediating phenotypic plasticity in invertebrates.

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Details

Published: Jul 16, 2023
Vol/Issue: 32(17)
Pages: 4814-4828
License: View

Authors

S

Serena Hackerott

Environmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Environment Florida International University Miami Florida USA; Florida International University Miami Florida USA

F

Francesca Virdis

Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire Kralendijk Caribbean Netherlands

P

Peter J. Flood

Florida International University Miami Florida USA

D

Daniel Garcia Souto

Genomes and Disease, Centre for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS) Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Santiago de Compostela Spain; Department of Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Santiago de Compostela Spain

W

Wendy Paez

Environmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Environment Florida International University Miami Florida USA; Florida International University Miami Florida USA

J

Jose M. Eirin‐Lopez

Environmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Environment Florida International University Miami Florida USA; Florida International University Miami Florida USA

Funding

National Science Foundation Award: 1547798

Cite This Article

Serena Hackerott, Francesca Virdis, Peter J. Flood, et al. (2023). Relationships between phenotypic plasticity and epigenetic variation in two Caribbean Acropora corals. Molecular Ecology, 32(17), 4814-4828. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.17072

Relationships between phenotypic plasticity and epigenetic variation in two Caribbean Acropora corals

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