Abstract
While adaptation is commonly thought to result from selection on DNA
sequence-based variation, recent studies have highlighted an analogous
epigenetic component as well. However, the extent to which these
adaptive mechanisms to adaptation to environmental heterogeneity are
redundant or complementary remains unclear. To address the underlying
genetic and epigenetic mechanisms and their relationship underlying
environmental adaptation, we screened the genomes and epigenomes of nine
global populations of a predominately sessile marine invasive tunicate,
Botryllus schlosseri. We detected clear population genetic and
epigenetic differentiation, which were both significantly influenced by
local environments, and the minimum annual sea surface temperature
(T_min) was simultaneously identified as the top explanatory variable
for both types of variation. However, there remain some degree of
difference in population structure patterns between two levels,
suggesting a certain level of autonomy in epigenetic variation. From the
functional perspective, a set of functional genes and biological
pathways were shared between two levels, indicating a conjoint
contribution of genetic and epigenetic variation to environmental
adaptation. Moreover, we also detected genetic- or epigenetic-specific
genes/pathways in relation to a wide variety of core processes
potentially underlying adaptation to local environmental factors,
suggesting the partly independent relationship between two mechanisms.
We infer that complementary genetic and epigenetic routes to adaptation
are available in this system. Collectively, these mechanisms may
facilitate population persistence under environmental changes and
sustain successful invasions in novel but contrasting environments.