Local parasite pressures and host genotype may modulate epigenetic diversity in a mixed-mating fish

Abstract

Parasite-mediated selection is one of the main drivers of genetic variation in natural populations. The persistence of asexual reproduction and self-fertilization, however, challenges the notion that low genetic variation and inbreeding compromise the hosts ability to respond to pathogens. DNA methylation represents a potential mechanism for generating additional adaptive variation under low genetic diversity. We compared genetic diversity (microsatellites and AFLPs), variation in DNA methylation (MSAFLPs), and parasite loads in three populations of Kryptolebias hermaphroditus, a unique mixed-mating (partially self-fertilising) fish, to analyse the potential adaptive value of DNA methylation in relation to genetic diversity and parasite loads. We found strong genetic population structuring, as well as differences in parasite loads and methylation levels among sampling sites and selfing lineages. Globally, the interaction between parasites and inbreeding with selfing lineages influenced DNA methylation, but parasites seemed more important in determining methylation levels at the local scale.