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<p>Mammalian coat color has broad eco-evolutionary implications and often co-varies with physiological, behavioral and ecological traits. In wolves, melanism is genetically determined at the K-locus, but whether color morphs differ epigenetically is unknown. Here, we profiled genome-wide DNA methylation in black (<i>N</i> = 48) and gray (<i>N</i> = 99) Alexander Archipelago wolves (<i>Canis lupus ligoni</i>) using reduced-representation sequencing. We identified 880 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between black and gray wolves, broadly distributed across the genome and representing 3.03% of all loci screened. Strikingly, over 93% of these DMRs were hypermethylated in black wolves, revealing directional, genome-wide shifts in DNA methylation associated with coat color. At the same time, black wolves had lower overall levels of DNA methylation, suggesting that locus-specific hypermethylation occurs against a background of broader hypomethylation. Our findings establish a foundation for future work to elucidate the potential eco-evolutionary significance of color-morph associated epigenetic signatures in natural populations.</p>

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Melanin and methylation: coat color is linked to directional epigenetic shifts in Alaskan wolves

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月30日

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  • Elizabeth L. Sheldon,
  • Gretchen H. Roffler,
  • M. E. Lauer,
  • Daniella Ray,
  • Danielle Dawkins,
  • Matthew Stephen Broderick,
  • Aaron W. Schrey

摘要

Mammalian coat color has broad eco-evolutionary implications and often co-varies with physiological, behavioral and ecological traits. In wolves, melanism is genetically determined at the K-locus, but whether color morphs differ epigenetically is unknown. Here, we profiled genome-wide DNA methylation in black (N = 48) and gray (N = 99) Alexander Archipelago wolves (Canis lupus ligoni) using reduced-representation sequencing. We identified 880 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between black and gray wolves, broadly distributed across the genome and representing 3.03% of all loci screened. Strikingly, over 93% of these DMRs were hypermethylated in black wolves, revealing directional, genome-wide shifts in DNA methylation associated with coat color. At the same time, black wolves had lower overall levels of DNA methylation, suggesting that locus-specific hypermethylation occurs against a background of broader hypomethylation. Our findings establish a foundation for future work to elucidate the potential eco-evolutionary significance of color-morph associated epigenetic signatures in natural populations.