Data from: Epigenetic signatures of social status in wild spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta)

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