A Novel Understanding of Global DNA Methylation in Bobcat (Lynx rufus)

Epigenetic mechanisms may provide a novel prospective of bobcat (Lynx rufus) adaptation to habitat loss/fragmentation. Previous research has focused on bobcat behavior and genetics, but epigenetics has not been studied in bobcat. The aim of this study was to determine the quantity of global DNA methylation in the liver of 30 bobcats. DNA was extracted from liver samples obtained from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. The percent of global DNA methylation was quantified and calculated using the MethylFlashTM Methylated DNA 5-mC Quantification Kit from Epigentek (Farmingdale, NY, USA). Age, sex, and carcass weight data were collected at sampling and analyzed with percent of global DNA methylation. Global DNA methylation was found to range from 0.46% to 2.76%. Age ranged from <1 to 12 years old and weight ranged from 3.18 to 13.61 kg. Further analysis of differential methylation may provide insight into novel means of bobcat conservation within different regions of Vermont. These results reinforce the need for genome-wide epigenetic studies in conservation biology.