The perception that the inheritance of phenotypic traits operates solely through genetic means is slowly being eroded: epigenetic mechanisms have been shown to induce heritable changes in gene activity in plants^1,2 and metazoans^1,3. Inheritance of DNA methylation patterns provides a potential pathway for environmentally induced phenotypes to contribute to evolution of species and populations^1,2,3,4,5. However, in basal metazoans, it is unknown whether inheritance of CpG methylation patterns occurs across the genome (as in plants) or as rare exceptions (as in mammals)⁴. Here, we show that DNA methylation patterns in a reef-building coral are determined by genotype and developmental stage, as well as by parental environment. Transmission of CpG methylation from adults to their sperm and larvae demonstrates genome-wide inheritance. Variation in the hypermethylation of genes in adults and their sperm from distinct environments suggests intergenerational acclimatization to local temperature and salinity. Furthermore, genotype-independent adjustments of methylation levels in stress-related genes were strongly correlated with offspring survival rates under heat stress. These findings support a role of DNA methylation in the intergenerational inheritance of traits in corals, which could extend to enhancing their capacity to adapt to climate change.

表型性状的遗传仅通过遗传方式起作用的观念正在慢慢被削弱：表观遗传机制已被证明可以诱导植物^1,2和后生动物^1,3基因活性的可遗传变化。DNA 甲基化模式的遗传为环境诱导的表型有助于物种和种群^1,2,3,4,5的进化提供了潜在途径。然而，在基础后生动物中，尚不清楚 CpG 甲基化模式的遗传是在整个基因组中发生（如在植物中）还是作为罕见的例外情况（如在哺乳动物中）⁴. 在这里，我们展示了造礁珊瑚中的 DNA 甲基化模式是由基因型和发育阶段以及父母环境决定的。CpG 甲基化从成虫向精子和幼虫的传播表明全基因组遗传。来自不同环境的成年人及其精子的基因高甲基化变化表明代际适应当地温度和盐度。此外，应激相关基因中甲基化水平的基因型独立调整与热应激下的后代存活率密切相关。这些发现支持了 DNA 甲基化在珊瑚特征的代际遗传中的作用，这可以扩展到增强它们适应气候变化的能力。