Investigation of population genomics and epigenomics of Antarctic fish.

The primary focus of this study is the teleost family of fish Channichthyidae, commonly referred to as Antarctic icefish. The icefish species used for this study was Neopagetopsis ionah, a benthopelagic species that nests in large group colonies in the Weddell Sea (Southern Ocean). The research firstly aimed at investigating the distribution of the genetic variability of N. ionah to ascertain the possibility of multiple nesting sites, through the comparison of population genomic data. Secondly, this research aimed to perform a preliminary analysis of the genomic methylation pattern in the nesting icefish. Investigating how DNA methylation may influence interspecific connectivity and phenotypic plasticity of Antarctic fish populations is a new avenue of research for these polar species. The epigenetics component of this research will hopefully serve as a platform for future studies as it is endeavoring to gain a better general understanding of the epigenome of N. ionah and how connectivity among populations can be used to identify important sites for protection. Preliminary results of this research show limited differentiation of N. ionah over a large geographic scale suggesting multiple biophysical drivers of connectivity (e.g. circulation, adult movement). Through the application of population genomics this research provides a platform for further studies combining population genetics and epigenetics to further conservation goals for the Weddell Sea.