Ecological Epigenetics: Beyond MS-AFLP

Authors

Aaron W. Schrey, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow
Mariano Alvarez, University of South FloridaFollow
Christy M. Foust, University of South FloridaFollow
Holly J. Kilvitis, University of South FloridaFollow
J. D. Lee
Andrea Lyn Liebl, University of South FloridaFollow
Lynn Martin, University of South FloridaFollow
Christina L. Richards, University of South FloridaFollow
Marta Robertson, University of South FloridaFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2013

Publication Title

Integrative and Comparative Biology

DOI

10.1093/icb/ict012

ISSN

1557-7023

Abstract

Ecological Epigenetics studies the relationship between epigenetic variation and ecologically relevant phenotypic variation. As molecular epigenetic mechanisms often control gene expression, even across generations, they may impact many evolutionary processes. Multiple molecular epigenetic mechanisms exist, but methylation of DNA so far has dominated the Ecological Epigenetic literature. There are several molecular techniques used to screen methylation of DNA; here, we focus on the most common technique, methylation-sensitive-AFLP (MS-AFLP), which is used to identify genome-wide methylation patterns. We review studies that used MS-AFLP to address ecological questions, that describe which taxa have been investigated, and that identify general trends in the field. We then discuss, noting the general themes, four studies across taxa that demonstrate characteristics that increase the inferences that can be made from MS-AFLP data; we suggest that future MS-AFLP studies should incorporate these methods and techniques. We then review the short-comings of MS-AFLP and suggest alternative techniques that might address some of these limitations. Finally, we make specific suggestions for future research on MS-AFLP and identify questions that are most compelling and tractable in the short term.

Comments

The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology.

Recommended Citation

Schrey, Aaron W., Mariano Alvarez, Christy M. Foust, Holly J. Kilvitis, J. D. Lee, Andrea Lyn Liebl, Lynn Martin, Christina L. Richards, Marta Robertson. 2013. "Ecological Epigenetics: Beyond MS-AFLP." Integrative and Comparative Biology, 53: 340-350: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/icb/ict012 source: https://academic.oup.com/icb/article/53/2/340/802198
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/biology-facpubs/164