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An evolutionary epigenetic clock in plants

Authors :
Yao, N.
Zhang, Z.
Yu, Lei
Hazarika, R.
Yu, C.
Jang, H.
Smith, L. M.
Ton, J.
Liu, L.
Stachowicz, J. J.
Reusch, Thorsten B. H.
Schmitz, R. J.
Johannes, F.
Yao, N.
Zhang, Z.
Yu, Lei
Hazarika, R.
Yu, C.
Jang, H.
Smith, L. M.
Ton, J.
Liu, L.
Stachowicz, J. J.
Reusch, Thorsten B. H.
Schmitz, R. J.
Johannes, F.
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Molecular clocks are the basis for dating the divergence between lineages over macroevolutionary timescales (~105 to 108 years). However, classical DNA-based clocks tick too slowly to inform us about the recent past. Here, we demonstrate that stochastic DNA methylation changes at a subset of cytosines in plant genomes display a clocklike behavior. This “epimutation clock” is orders of magnitude faster than DNA-based clocks and enables phylogenetic explorations on a scale of years to centuries. We show experimentally that epimutation clocks recapitulate known topologies and branching times of intraspecies phylogenetic trees in the self-fertilizing plant Arabidopsis thaliana and the clonal seagrass Zostera marina, which represent two major modes of plant reproduction. This discovery will open new possibilities for high-resolution temporal studies of plant biodiversity.

Details

Database :
OAIster
Notes :
text, text, text, archive, English, English, English, English
Publication Type :
Electronic Resource
Accession number :
edsoai.on1409459275
Document Type :
Electronic Resource
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1126.science.adh9443