Epigenetic signatures of social status in wild female spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta)

• DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05926-y
• Publication Date: 2024-03-28T17:03:52Z
• Authors: Colin Vullioud; Sarah Benhaiem; Dorina Meneghini; Moshe Szyf; Yong Shao; Heribert Hofer; Marion L. East; Jörns Fickel; Alexandra Weyrich
• Keywords: Crocuta crocuta; Hyena

Abstract In mammalian societies, dominance hierarchies translate into inequalities in health, reproductive performance and survival. DNA methylation is thought to mediate the effects of social status on gene expression phenotypic outcomes, yet a study status-specific profiles different age classes wild mammal missing. We tested for signatures female spotted hyenas ( Crocuta crocuta ), cubs adults, using non-invasively collected gut epithelium samples. hyena clans, influences access resources, foraging behavior, identified 149 differentially methylated regions between 42 high- low-ranking (cubs adults). Differentially genes were associated with energy conversion, immune function, glutamate receptor signalling ion transport. Our results provide evidence that socio-environmental are reflected at molecular level adults mammal.