Evolutionary Epigenetics - Epigenetic Variation in Natural Populations and its Relevance to Ecology and Evolution

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Jochen B. W. Wolf
• Subject Area: Evolution, Anthropology ; Ecology and Biodiversity of Animals and Ecosystems, Organismic Interactions
• Term: from 2020 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 433025962

Since the merger of Darwinian evolution and Mendelian hereditary principles at the onset of the 20th century, genetic variation has been at the core of evolutionary research. Genome-wide scrutiny of genetic variation segregating in natural populations has provided fundamental insights into the evolutionary processes underlying adaptation and speciation. Yet, calls for incorporating epigenetic modifications of the DNA blueprint into an extended evolutionary synthesis have repeatedly been made. And indeed, epigenetic variation constitutes an important modifier of phenotypic variation and may promote plastic responses allowing populations to explore novel niche space. Evolutionary relevance of epigenetic modification, however, will depend on the relationship between environmental inducibility and trans-generational stability independent of the underlying genetic variation. Comprehensive data on both of these aspects are essentially absent.This research program proposes to fill this knowledge gap using a broad geographic sampling regime of over 2,400 individuals from pedigree-informed natural populations of two avian species as a model: the great tit, Parus major, and the blue tit, Cyanistes caeruleus. Specifically, we will use this setup to characterize the intrinsic and external forces shaping diversity in 5mC DNA methylation across various scales of integration. First, we will quantify the inheritance patterns of these epigenetic marks within families (broods) leveraging additional power from extra pair young. Second, we will determine the extent of population-level epigenetic variability across diverse environments. Third, by adding populations of the European crow, Corvus (corone) spp. we will assess the degree of genetic and epigenetic divergence across 44 million years of evolution.This comprehensive research program is unparalleled in scope and is expected to provide fundamental insights into the forces shaping epigenetic variation. By quantifying the contribution of maternal and paternal genetic hereditary components and environmental effects it provides a valuable baseline to discuss the potential role of epigenetic modifications in evolution.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants