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Ecological plant epigenetics: Evidence from model and non‐model species, and the way forward
Author(s) -
Richards Christina L.,
Alonso Conchita,
Becker Claude,
Bossdorf Oliver,
Bucher Etienne,
ColoméTatché Maria,
Durka Walter,
Engelhardt Jan,
Gaspar Bence,
GogolDöring Andreas,
Grosse Ivo,
van Gurp Thomas P.,
Heer Katrin,
Kronholm Ilkka,
Lampei Christian,
Latzel Vít,
Mirouze Marie,
Opgenoorth Lars,
Paun Ovidiu,
Prohaska Sonja J.,
Rensing Stefan A.,
Stadler Peter F.,
Trucchi Emiliano,
Ullrich Kristian,
Verhoeven Koen J. F.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/ele.12858
Subject(s) - biology , epigenetics , ecology , polyploid , evolutionary biology , evolutionary ecology , genomics , genome , adaptation (eye) , dna methylation , genetics , neuroscience , gene , gene expression , host (biology)
Growing evidence shows that epigenetic mechanisms contribute to complex traits, with implications across many fields of biology. In plant ecology, recent studies have attempted to merge ecological experiments with epigenetic analyses to elucidate the contribution of epigenetics to plant phenotypes, stress responses, adaptation to habitat, and range distributions. While there has been some progress in revealing the role of epigenetics in ecological processes, studies with non‐model species have so far been limited to describing broad patterns based on anonymous markers of DNA methylation. In contrast, studies with model species have benefited from powerful genomic resources , which contribute to a more mechanistic understanding but have limited ecological realism. Understanding the significance of epigenetics for plant ecology requires increased transfer of knowledge and methods from model species research to genomes of evolutionarily divergent species, and examination of responses to complex natural environments at a more mechanistic level. This requires transforming genomics tools specifically for studying non‐model species, which is challenging given the large and often polyploid genomes of plants. Collaboration among molecular geneticists, ecologists and bioinformaticians promises to enhance our understanding of the mutual links between genome function and ecological processes.