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Opposites attract: MHC-associated mate choice in a polygynous primate

Setchell, J.M.; Charpentier, M.J.E.; Abbott, K.M.; Wickings, E.J.; Knapp, L.A.

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Authors

M.J.E. Charpentier

K.M. Abbott

E.J. Wickings

L.A. Knapp



Abstract

We investigated reproduction in a semi-free-ranging population of a polygynous primate, the mandrill, in relation to genetic relatedness and male genetic characteristics, using neutral microsatellite and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genotyping. We compared genetic dissimilarity to the mother and genetic characteristics of the sire with all other potential sires present at the conception of each offspring (193 offspring for microsatellite genetics, 180 for MHC). The probability that a given male sired increased as pedigree relatedness with the mother decreased, and overall genetic dissimilarity and MHC dissimilarity with the mother increased. Reproductive success also increased with male microsatellite heterozygosity and MHC diversity. These effects were apparent despite the strong influence of dominance rank on male reproductive success. The closed nature of our study population is comparable to human populations for which MHC-associated mate choice has been reported, suggesting that such mate choice may be especially important in relatively isolated populations with little migration to introduce genetic variation.

Citation

Setchell, J., Charpentier, M., Abbott, K., Wickings, E., & Knapp, L. (2010). Opposites attract: MHC-associated mate choice in a polygynous primate. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 23(1), 136-148. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2009.01880.x

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jan 1, 2010
Deposit Date Dec 18, 2009
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Journal of Evolutionary Biology
Print ISSN 1010-061X
Electronic ISSN 1420-9101
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 23
Issue 1
Pages 136-148
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2009.01880.x
Keywords Dissassortative mating, Good genes, Heterozygosity, Major histocompatability complex, Sexual selection.

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Copyright Statement
This is the accepted version of the following article: Setchell, J. M., Charpentier, M. J. E., Abbott, K. M., Wickings, E. J. and Knapp, L. A. (2010) 'Opposites attract : MHC-associated mate choice in a polygynous primate.', Journal of evolutionary biology., 23 (1). pp. 136-148, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2009.01880.x.





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