To date little is known about the evolution and maintenance of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in any other amniotes beyond mammals, either at the gene specific or whole genome level. We propose using comparative epigenomics, a relatively new field of study, to undertake comparative analysis of epigenetic markers between species, to provide a unique insight into the origin, evolution and maintenance of epigenomics mechanisms in two key biological functions; sex determination and immune function. This study will reveal for the first time epigenetic tags that are conserved and thus likely to be essential between humans and other amniotes.
We have analysed the epigenetic landscape using immunofluorescence on metaphasic chromosomes of Pogona vitticeps. Our novel observations indicate the presence of known active and repressive marks of transcription on chromatin in both male and female dragon lizards. These modifications marked both macro- and micro- chromosomes.
A better understanding of epigenetic landscapes and epigenetic regulation in such systems across divergent taxa, using non model species, may provide important insights into individual and population processes at evolutionary time scales.