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Application of a novel molecular method to age free-living wild Bechstein's bats

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posted on 2023-06-09, 17:47 authored by Patrick G R Wright, Fiona MathewsFiona Mathews, Henry Schofield, Colin Morris, Joe Burrage, Adam Smith, Emma L Dempster, Patrick B Hamilton
The age profile of populations fundamentally affects their conservation status. Yet, age is frequently difficult to assess in wild animals. Here, we assessed the use of DNA methylation of homologous genes to establish the age structure of a rare and elusive wild mammal: the Bechstein's bat (Myotis bechsteinii). We collected 62 wing punches from individuals whose ages were known as a result of a long-term banding study. DNA methylation was measured at seven CpG sites from three genes, which have previously shown age-associated changes in humans and laboratory mice. All CpG sites from the tested genes showed a significant relationship between DNA methylation and age, both individually and in combination (multiple linear regression R2 = 0.58, p < 0.001). Despite slight approximation around estimates, the approach is sufficiently precise to place animals into practically useful age cohorts. This method is of considerable practical benefit as it can reliably age individual bats. It is also much faster than traditional capture–mark–recapture techniques, with the potential to collect information on the age structure of an entire colony from a single sampling session to better inform conservation actions for Bechstein's bats. By identifying three genes where DNA methylation correlates with age across distantly related species, this study also suggests that the technique can potentially be applied across a wide range of mammals.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Molecular Ecology Resources

ISSN

1755-098X

Publisher

Wiley

Issue

6

Volume

18

Page range

1374-1380

Department affiliated with

  • Biology and Environmental Science Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2019-05-15

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2019-07-07

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2019-05-15

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