Meeting Abstract
Ecologically important variation in DNA methylation can be induced by changes in local environment, allowing DNA methylation to vary over an individual’s development. We compared DNA methylation among three developmental periods (i.e. at hatching, just before fledging, and as an adult) in multiple chestnut crowned babblers (Pomatostomus ruficeps); this allowed us to track changes in DNA methylation over time within a single individual. Our objective was to determine how liable DNA methylation is among developmental periods, and to determine the amount of induced change within individuals. Using the epiRADseq protocol we were able to generate 148,881 unique fragments indicating considerable variation in DNA methylation among individuals as well as within individuals through time. Equally, although differences existed through time at some sites, other sites remained relatively stable through time. Broadly, we show here that differences among individuals exist in methylation profile but that portions of these profiles are not stable over time, suggesting the environment is also an important player in the induction of different epigenetic states at multiple points in life.
