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Marine Vertebrate Ecology Lab

Epigenetics & ageing

This project synthesizes unparalleled genomic and behavioural data of bottlenose dolphins spanning 35 years, to compare lifetime reproductive success of males and females. Recent advances in statistical methodology and genomic analyses of wild animal populations allow us to integrate molecular age determination via epigenetic DNA methylation patterns with long-term behavioural and genetic data. For the first time, we will be able to directly compare lifetime reproductive success between males and females in this remarkable system. Findings of this work improve our understanding of the evolution of life histories in one of the most complex cooperative behaviours outside our own species.

Output & related content

Haghani A, ... Peters KJ, ... Horvath S (2023). DNA methylation networks underlying mammalian traits. Science

Lu AT, ... Peters KJ, ... Horvath S (2023). Universal DNA methylation age across mammalian tissues. Nature Aging

Peters KJ, Gerber L, Scheu L, Cicciarella R, Zoller JA, Fei Z, Horvath S, Allen SJ, King SL, Conor RC, Rollins LA, Krützen M (2023). An epigenetic DNA methylation clock for age estimates in Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus). Evolutionary Applications 16:126-133,

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