Epigenetics explains Pacific oyster mortality syndrome (POMS) better than NeoDarwinism

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Epigenetic Variations are More Substantial than {neodarwinian} Genetic Variations in Rapid Adaptation of Oyster to Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome by JANAN GAWRA, 2023

Introduction

Pacific oyster mortality syndrome (POMS) is a highly contagious and deadly disease that has caused significant mortality in oyster populations worldwide. POMS is caused by a virus, the ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1), which infects the oyster's nervous system and gills. There is no effective treatment for POMS, and the only control measure is to remove infected oysters from the population.

POMS has emerged as a major threat to the oyster industry, and understanding how oyster populations can adapt to this disease is essential for developing effective management strategies. Adaptation to POMS can occur through both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. NeoDarwinian genetic adaptation involves changes in the DNA sequence (random mutations) of individuals that make them more resistant to the disease. Epigenetic adaptation involves changes to the way DNA is expressed, without changing the DNA sequence itself.

Epigenetic changes can be caused by a variety of factors, including environmental stressors, diet, and behavior. They can also be inherited from parents to offspring. Epigenetic changes can play a role in a wide range of biological processes, including immunity, development, and metabolism.

Epigenetic Adaptation to POMS

This recent study published in Science Advances investigated the role of epigenetic adaptation in the rapid adaptation of oysters to POMS. The researchers studied two oyster populations, one from an area that had been heavily impacted by POMS and one from an area that had not been impacted by the disease.

The researchers found that the two oyster populations had distinct epigenetic signatures. The oysters from the POMS-impacted population had epigenetic changes at genes involved in immune function. These epigenetic changes were associated with increased resistance to POMS.

The researchers also found that the epigenetic changes were inherited by offspring. This suggests that epigenetic adaptation to POMS can occur rapidly over a few generations as opposed to NeoDarwinian mutations.

The Importance of Epigenetic Adaptation

The findings of this study highlight the importance of epigenetic adaptation in rapid adaptation to emerging diseases. Epigenetic changes can occur rapidly, and they can be inherited by offspring. This makes epigenetic adaptation a powerful mechanism for hosts to respond to new challenges verses NeoDarwinian changes.

Epigenetic adaptation is also important for understanding the resilience of oyster populations to POMS. Even if a POMS outbreak kills a large number of oysters, the surviving oysters may have epigenetic changes that make them more resistant to the disease. This means that oyster populations may be able to recover from POMS outbreaks more quickly than previously thought. Again, NeoDarwinian mutations can not cause this.

Implications for Management

The findings of this study have important implications for the management of POMS. First, they suggest that epigenetic adaptation play a key role in the long-term survival of oyster populations in the face of POMS. This is in opposition to Darwin's slow "survival of the fittest." This means that management strategies should focus on protecting the genetic and epigenetic diversity of oyster populations.

Second, the findings suggest that epigenetic adaptation may be used to develop new strategies for controlling POMS. For example, it may be possible to develop drugs or treatments that promote epigenetic changes that make oysters more resistant to the disease.

Conclusion

The study is the first to show that epigenetic variations are more substantial than neo darwinian genetic mutations  in the rapid adaptation of oyster to POMS. The findings of this study have important implications for understanding the resilience of oyster populations to POMS and for developing effective management strategies.

Additional Discussion

In addition to the implications discussed above, the findings of this study also have a number of other implications for our understanding of evolution and adaptation.

First, the study shows that epigenetic adaptation can be a powerful mechanism for hosts to respond to new challenges. This is especially important in the context of emerging diseases, which are becoming more common due to climate change and other global changes.

Second, the study suggests that epigenetic adaptation may be more important than genetic adaptation in rapid adaptation to new environments. This is because epigenetic changes can occur rapidly, and they can be inherited by offspring. NeoDarwinian genetic adaptation, on the other hand, requires changes in the DNA sequence, which can be a slow process.

Third, the study highlights the importance of gene-environment interactions in evolution. The epigenetic changes observed in the oysters from the POMS-impacted population were likely caused by an interaction between their genetic makeup and their environment. This suggests that gene-environment interactions may be more important than NeoDarwinian genetic variation in driving adaptation to new challenges.

Overall, the findings of this study are significant for our understanding of evolution and adaptation outside of neo darwinism in the face of rapid environmental change.

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