Epigenetics in inbreeding depression

Discussions on Epigenetics and Transgenerational Inheritance:

P. Vergeer et al. 2012. Biol Lett 8:798-801

 

Vergeer, P., N. Wagemaker, and N. J. Ouborg. 2012. Evidence for an epigenetic role in inbreeding depression. Biology Letters 8:798-801.

 

Abstract:

Inbreeding depression (i.e. negative fitness effects of inbreeding) is central in evolutionary biology, affecting numerous aspects of population dynamics and demography, such as the evolution of mating systems, dispersal behaviour and the genetics of quantitative traits. Inbreeding depression is commonly observed in animals and plants. Here, we demonstrate that, in addition to genetic processes, epigenetic processesmay play an important role in causing inbreeding effects. We compared epigenetic markers of outbred and inbred offspring of the perennial plant Scabiosa columbaria and found that inbreeding increases DNA methylation. Moreover, we found that inbreeding depression disappears when epigenetic variation is modified by treatment with a demethylation agent, linking inbreeding depression firmly to epigenetic variation. Our results suggest an as yet unknown mechanism for inbreeding effects and demonstrate the importance of evaluating the role of epigenetic processes in inbreeding depression.

 

Published Sep. 12, 2012 4:10 PM - Last modified Mar. 8, 2021 4:00 PM