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Testing for post-copulatory selection for major histocompatibility complex genotype in a semi-free-ranging primate population

Setchell, J.M.; Abbott, K.M.; Gonzalez, J.-P.; Knapp, L.A.

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Authors

K.M. Abbott

J.-P. Gonzalez

L.A. Knapp



Abstract

A large body of evidence suggests that major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genotype influences mate choice. However, few studies have investigated MHC-mediated post-copulatory mate choice under natural, or even semi-natural, conditions. We set out to explore this question in a large semi-free-ranging population of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) using MHC-DRB genotypes for 127 parent–offspring triads. First, we showed that offspring MHC heterozygosity correlates positively with parental MHC dissimilarity suggesting that mating among MHC dissimilar mates is efficient in increasing offspring MHC diversity. Second, we compared the haplotypes of the parental dyad with those of the offspring to test whether post-copulatory sexual selection favored offspring with two different MHC haplotypes, more diverse gamete combinations, or greater within-haplotype diversity. Limited statistical power meant that we could only detect medium or large effect sizes. Nevertheless, we found no evidence for selection for heterozygous offspring when parents share a haplotype (large effect size), genetic dissimilarity between parental haplotypes (we could detect an odds ratio of ≥1.86), or within-haplotype diversity (medium-large effect). These findings suggest that comparing parental and offspring haplotypes may be a useful approach to test for post-copulatory selection when matings cannot be observed, as is the case in many study systems. However, it will be extremely difficult to determine conclusively whether post-copulatory selection mechanisms for MHC genotype exist, particularly if the effect sizes are small, due to the difficulty in obtaining a sufficiently large sample.

Citation

Setchell, J., Abbott, K., Gonzalez, J., & Knapp, L. (2013). Testing for post-copulatory selection for major histocompatibility complex genotype in a semi-free-ranging primate population. American Journal of Primatology, 75(10), 1021-1031. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.22166

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Oct 1, 2013
Deposit Date May 21, 2013
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal American Journal of Primatology
Print ISSN 0275-2565
Electronic ISSN 1098-2345
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 75
Issue 10
Pages 1021-1031
DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.22166
Keywords Sexual selection, Reproductive success, Cryptic female choice, Selective fertilization, Gamete choice, Materno–fetal interactions, MHC, Gametic union, Pre-natal selection, Mate choice, Post-copulatory selection.

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Copyright Statement
This is the accepted version of the following article: Setchell, J. M., Abbott, K. M., Gonzalez, J.-P. and Knapp, L. A. (2013) 'Testing for post-copulatory selection for major histocompatibility complex genotype in a semi-free-ranging primate population.', American journal of primatology., 75 (10). pp. 1021-1031, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajp.22166





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