The role of epigenetic modifications in tiger snake adaptation

本项目旨在通过研究蛇类表型可塑性的分子基础来研究动物适应未来环境变化的机制。该项目将专门研究遗传/表观遗传特征的变化，并与重要的健身特征进行比较，例如可变的头部大小，咬合力和吞咽性能，以确定分子变化与生理之间的关系。这种研究是提高我们对动物种群可能适应环境变化的机制的认识的关键的第一步，使我们能够促进这种过程，或在物种无法通过表观遗传修饰适应的情况下集中保护努力。

This project aims to investigate mechanisms underlying animal adaptation to future environmental change by examining the molecular basis for phenotypic plasticity in snakes. This project will specifically examine variation in genetic/epigenetic profiles and compare against important fitness traits, such as variable head size, bite force and swallowing performance to identify relationships between molecular change and physiology. Such research is a critical first step in improving our knowledge of the mechanisms whereby animal populations may adapt to environmental change, allowing us to facilitate such processes or concentrate conservation effort where species are unable to adapt via epigenetic modification.