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Opposites attract: MHC-associated mate choice in a polygynous primate
J M Setchell1, M J E Charpentier, K M Abbott
1Evolutionary Anthropology Research Group, Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham, UK. joanna.setchell@durham.ac.uk
Journal of Evolutionary Biology
|November 7, 2009
Summary
Male mandrills sired more offspring when they were genetically dissimilar to the mother. Increased male genetic diversity, including major histocompatibility complex (MHC) diversity, correlated with higher reproductive success in this primate population.
Area of Science:
- Primate reproductive behavior
- Behavioral ecology
- Population genetics
Background:
- Polygynous primates, like mandrills, exhibit complex mating systems.
- Understanding factors influencing reproductive success is crucial for population dynamics.
- Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes play a role in mate choice in various species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between genetic relatedness and male reproductive success in a semi-free-ranging mandrill population.
- To determine if male genetic characteristics influence a male's probability of siring offspring.
- To explore the role of MHC and microsatellite genetic dissimilarity in mate selection.
Main Methods:
- Utilized neutral microsatellite and MHC genotyping for genetic analysis.
- Compared genetic dissimilarity to the mother and sire characteristics against potential sires.
- Analyzed data from 193 offspring for microsatellite and 180 for MHC genetics.
Main Results:
- Male reproductive success increased with decreasing genetic relatedness to the mother.
- Higher overall genetic dissimilarity and MHC dissimilarity with the mother correlated with increased siring probability.
- Male reproductive success was positively associated with microsatellite heterozygosity and MHC diversity.
- These genetic effects persisted despite the significant influence of male dominance rank on reproduction.
Conclusions:
- Genetic dissimilarity to the mother and male genetic diversity are significant factors in mandrill reproductive success.
- MHC-associated mate choice may be particularly important in isolated populations with limited gene flow.
- Findings suggest potential MHC-based mate preferences influencing reproductive outcomes in mandrills.
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