Environmental stress during larval development induces DNA methylation shifts in the migratory painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui)

Apr 23, 2023Molecular ecology

Environmental stress during caterpillar stage causes DNA changes in migratory painted lady butterflies

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Abstract

Patterns of DNA methylation were identified in the migratory painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui) related to environmental conditions during larval development.

DNA methylation may play a role in how butterflies respond to varying environmental cues.
A set of potentially functional methylome shifts was associated with differences in environmental conditions.
Gene body methylation showed a non-monotonic relationship with gene expression.
These findings could contribute to understanding how environmental factors during development influence adult behavior.

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Seasonal environmental fluctuations provide formidable challenges for living organisms, especially small ectotherms such as butterflies. A common strategy to cope with harsh environments is to enter diapause, but some species avoid unsuitable conditions by migrating. Despite a growing understanding of migration in the life cycles of some butterfly species, it remains unknown how individuals register and store environmental cues to determine whether and where to migrate. Here, we explored how competition and host plant availability during larval development affect patterns of DNA methylation in the migratory painted lady (Vanessa cardui) butterfly. We identify a set of potentially functional methylome shifts associated with differences in the environment, indicating that DNA methylation is involved in the response to different conditions during larval development. By analysing the transcriptome for the same samples used for methylation profiling, we also uncovered a non-monotonic relationship between gene body methylation and gene expression. Our results provide a starting point for understanding the interplay between DNA methylation and gene expression in butterflies in general and how differences in environmental conditions during development can trigger unique epigenetic marks that might be important for behavioural decisions in the adult stage.

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Environmental stress during larval development induces DNA methylation shifts in the migratory painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui)

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