Related Experiment Videos
Evolution of disassortative and assortative mating preferences based on imprinting
Yasuo Ihara1, Marcus W Feldman
1Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5020, USA. iharay@stanford.edu
Theoretical Population Biology
|September 2, 2003
Summary
This study models sexual selection, showing imprinting can drive disassortative mating preferences. Disassortative mating is more likely to evolve than assortative mating, even with reduced fertility costs.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Behavioral genetics
Background:
- Sexual selection drives mate choice evolution.
- Imprinting influences mate selection criteria.
- Genetic loci determine mating preferences.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the evolution of mating preferences (disassortative and assortative) using a two-locus haploid model.
- Explore the role of imprinting in mate choice.
- Incorporate fertility costs associated with same-type matings.
Main Methods:
- Developed a two-locus haploid model of sexual selection.
- Incorporated imprinting on genetically transmitted traits.
- Modeled female mate choice based on imprinted parental images.
- Assumed reduced fertility for same-type matings to simulate inbreeding depression and heterozygous advantage.
Main Results:
- Disassortative mating preferences can maintain viability-reducing traits, even without fertility costs.
- Disassortative mating can evolve from rare initial frequencies when same-type matings incur fertility costs.
- Assortative mating preferences are less likely to evolve compared to disassortative ones.
Conclusions:
- Imprinting-based sexual selection can favor disassortative mating.
- The model provides a framework for understanding the evolution of mating preferences, potentially explaining MHC-disassortative mating in species like house mice and humans.