Contributions of epigenomic and epitranscriptomic methylation to animal colouration

Abstract

Due to its high variation and its diversity of functional roles, animal colouration has long been a fascinating phenotype for geneticists. While the loci underpinning colour are relatively well known, there remain components of unexplained variation. The contribution of DNA and RNA methylation to these molecular mechanisms of colouration is only now being explored. Recent research has shown that DNA (m⁵C) methylation plays a role in plastic colouration change, the development of colour, and adult intra- and interindividual colouration differences. Studies on RNA (m⁶A) methylation are few but suggest that it also contributes to colour differences. Emerging advances in native DNA and RNA sequencing will allow a novel understanding of methylation contributions to colour evolution and development.