Ageing European lobsters (Homarus gammarus) using DNA methylation of evolutionarily-conserved ribosomal DNA

Crustaceans are notoriously difficult to age because of their indeterminate growth and the moulting of their exoskeleton throughout life. The poor knowledge of population age structure in crustaceans therefore hampers accurate assessment of population dynamics and consequently sustainable fisheries management. Quantification of DNA methylation of the evolutionarily-conserved ribosomal DNA (rDNA) may allow for age prediction across diverse species. However, the rDNA epigenetic clock remains to be tested in crustaceans, despite its potential to inform both ecological and evolutionary understanding, as well as conservation and management practices. Here, patterns of rDNA methylation with age were measured across 5,154 bp of rDNA corresponding to 355 quality filtered loci in the economically-important European lobster (Hommarus gammarus). Across 0–51 month-old lobsters (n = 155) there was a significant linear relationship between age and percentage rDNA methylation in claw tissue at 60% of ..., see manuscript
,