Faculty Mentor
Dr. Aaron W. Schrey
Location
Russell Union 2080
Type of Research
On-going
Session Format
Oral Presentation
College
College of Science & Mathematics
Department
SEES, ICPS
Abstract
House sparrows (Passer domesticus) have colonized most continents within the last 200 years. As such, they represent a unique study system for understanding the role that epigenetic mechanisms play in an individual’s responses to rapid environmental changes. DNA methylation facilitates the introduction success of non-native sparrows by compensating for reduced genetic diversity and supporting changes to phenotypes. In non-native populations of house sparrows, more recently introduced populations have higher variance in DNA methylation and respond to simulated infections with a greater magnitude of change in DNA methylation. To determine how DNA methylation changes temporally across 115 years post introduction in one location, we used whole genome enzymatic-methyl sequencing to screen DNA methylation in museum preserved house sparrows. We hypothesize that birds collected closest in time to introduction will have the greatest variance in DNA methylation, supporting epigenetic buffering as part of the response. Further, we hypothesize that differently methylated regions will occur in genes whose functions facilitate dealing with ecological novelty. Support for these hypotheses would indicate that DNA methylation has an important role in the response to introduction and that these DNA methylation-based changes likely manifest changes to the gene regulatory network fostering phenotypic advantages to introduced birds.
Program Description
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DOI
10.20429/GS4.2026.010
Start Date
4-23-2026 11:00 AM
End Date
4-23-2026 11:15 AM
Recommended Citation
Lauer, M. Ellesse; Maddox, J. Dylan; Kohl, Kevin D.; Ravinet, Mark; Martin, Lynn B.; and Schrey, Aaron W., "Temporal Variation in DNA Methylation Over 115 Years Post Introduction Facilitate Success of House Sparrows" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 112.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/112
Temporal Variation in DNA Methylation Over 115 Years Post Introduction Facilitate Success of House Sparrows
Russell Union 2080
House sparrows (Passer domesticus) have colonized most continents within the last 200 years. As such, they represent a unique study system for understanding the role that epigenetic mechanisms play in an individual’s responses to rapid environmental changes. DNA methylation facilitates the introduction success of non-native sparrows by compensating for reduced genetic diversity and supporting changes to phenotypes. In non-native populations of house sparrows, more recently introduced populations have higher variance in DNA methylation and respond to simulated infections with a greater magnitude of change in DNA methylation. To determine how DNA methylation changes temporally across 115 years post introduction in one location, we used whole genome enzymatic-methyl sequencing to screen DNA methylation in museum preserved house sparrows. We hypothesize that birds collected closest in time to introduction will have the greatest variance in DNA methylation, supporting epigenetic buffering as part of the response. Further, we hypothesize that differently methylated regions will occur in genes whose functions facilitate dealing with ecological novelty. Support for these hypotheses would indicate that DNA methylation has an important role in the response to introduction and that these DNA methylation-based changes likely manifest changes to the gene regulatory network fostering phenotypic advantages to introduced birds.
