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Mate selection and the evolution of highly polymorphic self/nonself recognition genes.
1Section of Evolution and Ecology and Center for Population Biology, One Shields Drive, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. rkgrosberg@ucdavis.edu
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|September 23, 2000
Summary
Genetic diversity in self/nonself recognition is crucial for multicellular organisms. In marine invertebrates, competition, not mate choice, appears to drive the evolution of this allorecognition polymorphism.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Marine Biology
Background:
- Multicellular organisms utilize polymorphic genes for self/nonself recognition, impacting various biological interactions.
- Allorecognition polymorphisms are vital for distinguishing self from nonself, influencing host-pathogen, competitive, and reproductive interactions.
- The precise mechanisms maintaining genetic polymorphism for self/nonself recognition specificity remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the factors maintaining allorecognition polymorphism in two colonial marine invertebrate species.
- To determine the relative contributions of mate selection versus intraspecific competition in driving allorecognition polymorphism.
- To challenge previous assumptions regarding the role of mate choice in allorecognition evolution.
Main Methods:
- Field studies on two colonial marine invertebrate species.
- Analysis of genetic data related to allorecognition genes.
- Behavioral observations and experimental manipulations to assess competitive and reproductive interactions.
Main Results:
- Contrary to prior research, mate selection was found to be a weak force in maintaining allorecognition polymorphism in the studied species.
- Evidence suggests that the regulation of intraspecific competitive interactions is a significant driver of allorecognition polymorphism evolution.
- Rare alleles may confer advantages in both competitive and reproductive contexts, but competition appears dominant in these species.
Conclusions:
- Intraspecific competition, rather than mate selection, plays a primary role in maintaining allorecognition polymorphism in these colonial marine invertebrates.
- The findings necessitate a re-evaluation of the evolutionary forces shaping self/nonself recognition systems.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for comprehending immune system evolution and ecological interactions.
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