1
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Búci M, Krajmerová D, Tám B, Kaňuch P, Klinga P. Airports for the genetic rescue of a former agricultural pest. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17540. [PMID: 39080479 PMCID: PMC11289432 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68679-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The intensification of agricultural practices and urbanisation are widespread causes of biodiversity loss. However, the role of artificial habitats in genetic rescue is an aspect that is not well understood. Implementing genetic rescue measures to improve gene flow and maintain a viable population of keystone species is a crucial prerequisite for promoting diverse and resilient ecosystems. Landscape fragmentation and modern agricultural methods have caused the decline and the isolation of the remnant colonies of the endangered European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) throughout its range. However, the artificial habitat, such as airport fields with regular grass mowing, provides suitable conditions for this grassland specialist. We measured home range size and genetic variation of seven souslik colonies in western Slovakia. Based on the 6904 ddRAD SNPs, we found significantly higher individual heterozygosity in colonies on airports compared to colonies on pastures. This indicates a potential for higher fitness of individuals from airport colonies, which can serve as a source for evidence-based translocations. Such an intervention can preserve the genetic diversity of small and isolated populations in the region. We emphasize that conservation management strategies would be strengthened including a specific focus on human-made grassland habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matúš Búci
- Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Zvolen, Slovakia
- Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - Diana Krajmerová
- Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia
| | | | - Peter Kaňuch
- Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - Peter Klinga
- Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovakia.
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
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2
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Ando A, Matsubara T, Suzuki S, Imaeda N, Takasu M, Shigenari A, Miyamoto A, Ohshima S, Kametani Y, Shiina T, Kulski JK, Kitagawa H. Genetic Links between Reproductive Traits and Amino Acid Pairwise Distances of Swine Leukocyte Antigen Alleles among Mating Partners in Microminipigs. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7362. [PMID: 39000468 PMCID: PMC11242825 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Previously, we found that a greater dissimilarity in swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) class I and class II alleles between mating partners resulted in increased farrowing rates in a highly inbred population of Microminipigs (MMPs). In this follow-up study, we have analyzed the effects of dissimilarity in SLA alleles between mating partners for seven different reproductive traits, including litter size and the number of stillborn and live or dead weaned piglets. We determined the relationships among reproductive traits within each mating event and the amino acid distances of SLA alleles as markers of diversity between mating partners. Our results indicate that mating partners with greater amino acid pairwise genetic distances in the SLA-1 class I gene or DQB1 class II gene alleles were associated with significantly larger litter sizes and higher numbers of live piglets at birth and weaning. Also, partners with greater pairwise distances in the SLA-2 class I gene alleles exhibited fewer pre-weaning deaths. These findings suggest that the dissimilarity in SLA class I and class II alleles between mating partners may affect not only farrowing rates but also other key reproductive traits such as litter size and improved piglet survival rates. Consequently, SLA alleles could serve as valuable genetic markers for selecting mating partners in breeding programs and for conducting epistatic studies on various reproductive traits in MMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asako Ando
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara 259-1193, Japan; (S.S.); (A.S.); (A.M.); (S.O.); (Y.K.); (T.S.); or (J.K.K.)
| | - Tatsuya Matsubara
- Joint Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan; (T.M.); (N.I.)
| | - Shingo Suzuki
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara 259-1193, Japan; (S.S.); (A.S.); (A.M.); (S.O.); (Y.K.); (T.S.); or (J.K.K.)
| | - Noriaki Imaeda
- Joint Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan; (T.M.); (N.I.)
| | - Masaki Takasu
- Gifu University Institute for Advanced Study, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan;
- Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research (COMIT), Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Atsuko Shigenari
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara 259-1193, Japan; (S.S.); (A.S.); (A.M.); (S.O.); (Y.K.); (T.S.); or (J.K.K.)
| | - Asuka Miyamoto
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara 259-1193, Japan; (S.S.); (A.S.); (A.M.); (S.O.); (Y.K.); (T.S.); or (J.K.K.)
| | - Shino Ohshima
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara 259-1193, Japan; (S.S.); (A.S.); (A.M.); (S.O.); (Y.K.); (T.S.); or (J.K.K.)
| | - Yoshie Kametani
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara 259-1193, Japan; (S.S.); (A.S.); (A.M.); (S.O.); (Y.K.); (T.S.); or (J.K.K.)
| | - Takashi Shiina
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara 259-1193, Japan; (S.S.); (A.S.); (A.M.); (S.O.); (Y.K.); (T.S.); or (J.K.K.)
| | - Jerzy K. Kulski
- Department of Molecular Life Science, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara 259-1193, Japan; (S.S.); (A.S.); (A.M.); (S.O.); (Y.K.); (T.S.); or (J.K.K.)
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Biomedical Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Hitoshi Kitagawa
- Joint Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan; (T.M.); (N.I.)
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science, 1-3 Ikoino-oka, Imabari, Ehime 794-8555, Japan
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3
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O'Reilly GD, Manlik O, Vardeh S, Sinclair J, Cannell B, Lawler ZP, Sherwin WB. A new method for ecologists to estimate heterozygote excess and deficit for multi-locus gene families. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11561. [PMID: 39045501 PMCID: PMC11264353 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The fixation index, F IS, has been a staple measure to detect selection, or departures from random mating in populations. However, current Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) cannot easily estimate F IS, in multi-locus gene families that contain multiple loci having similar or identical arrays of variant sequences of ≥1 kilobase (kb), which differ at multiple positions. In these families, high-quality short-read NGS data typically identify variants, but not the genomic location, which is required to calculate F IS (based on locus-specific observed and expected heterozygosity). Thus, to assess assortative mating, or selection on heterozygotes, from NGS of multi-locus gene families, we need a method that does not require knowledge of which variants are alleles at which locus in the genome. We developed such a method. Like F IS, our novel measure, 1 H IS, is based on the principle that positive assortative mating, or selection against heterozygotes, and some other processes reduce within-individual variability relative to the population. We demonstrate high accuracy of 1 H IS on a wide range of simulated scenarios and two datasets from natural populations of penguins and dolphins. 1 H IS is important because multi-locus gene families are often involved in assortative mating or selection on heterozygotes. 1 H IS is particularly useful for multi-locus gene families, such as toll-like receptors, the major histocompatibility complex in animals, homeobox genes in fungi and self-incompatibility genes in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabe D. O'Reilly
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological Earth and Environmental ScienceUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Department of BioinformaticsUniversity of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotteNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Oliver Manlik
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological Earth and Environmental ScienceUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Biology DepartmentUnited Arab Emirates UniversityAl Ain, Abu DhabiUAE
| | - Sandra Vardeh
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological Earth and Environmental ScienceUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Bundesamt für NaturschutzBonnNordrhein‐WestfalenGermany
| | - Jennifer Sinclair
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological Earth and Environmental ScienceUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Cape Bernier VineyardBream CreekTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Belinda Cannell
- Oceans Institute/School of Biological SciencesUniversity of Western AustraliaCrawleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- School of Environmental and Conservation SciencesMurdoch UniversityMurdochWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Zachary P. Lawler
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological Earth and Environmental ScienceUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- The University of NewcastleNewcastleNew South WalesAustralia
| | - William B. Sherwin
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological Earth and Environmental ScienceUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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4
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Intronic primers reveal unexpectedly high major histocompatibility complex diversity in Antarctic fur seals. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17933. [PMID: 36289307 PMCID: PMC9606363 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21658-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a group of genes comprising one of the most important components of the vertebrate immune system. Consequently, there has been much interest in characterising MHC variation and its relationship with fitness in a variety of species. Due to the exceptional polymorphism of MHC genes, careful PCR primer design is crucial for capturing all of the allelic variation present in a given species. We therefore developed intronic primers to amplify the full-length 267 bp protein-coding sequence of the MHC class II DQB exon 2 in the Antarctic fur seal. We then characterised patterns of MHC variation among mother-offspring pairs from two breeding colonies and detected 19 alleles among 771 clone sequences from 56 individuals. The distribution of alleles within and among individuals was consistent with a single-copy, classical DQB locus showing Mendelian inheritance. Amino acid similarity at the MHC was significantly associated with genome-wide relatedness, but no relationship was found between MHC heterozygosity and genome-wide heterozygosity. Finally, allelic diversity was several times higher than reported by a previous study based on partial exon sequences. This difference appears to be related to allele-specific amplification bias, implying that primer design can strongly impact the inference of MHC diversity.
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5
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Jennings SL, Hoover BA, Wa Sin SY, Ebeler SE. Feather chemicals contain information about the major histocompatibility complex in a highly scented seabird. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220567. [PMID: 35611538 PMCID: PMC9130785 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mate choice informed by the immune genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) may provide fitness benefits including offspring with increased immunocompetence. Olfactory cues are considered the primary mechanism organisms use to evaluate the MHC of potential mates, yet this idea has received limited attention in birds. Motivated by a finding of MHC-dependent mate choice in the Leach's storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa), we examined whether the chemical profiles of this highly scented seabird contain information about MHC genes. Whereas previous studies in birds examined non-volatile compounds, we used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to measure the volatile compounds emitted from feathers that potentially serve as olfactory infochemicals about MHC and coupled this with locus-specific genotyping of MHC IIB genes. We found that feather chemicals reflected individual MHC diversity through interactions with sex and breeding status. Furthermore, similarity in MHC genotype was correlated with similarity in chemical profiles within female-female and male-female dyads. We provide the first evidence that volatile chemicals from bird feathers can encode information about the MHC. Our findings suggest that olfaction likely aids MHC-based mate choice in this species and highlight a role for chemicals in mediating genetic mate choice in birds where this mode of communication has been largely overlooked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L. Jennings
- Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis CA 95616, USA
| | - Brian A. Hoover
- Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis CA 95616, USA,Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92886, USA
| | - Simon Yung Wa Sin
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Susan E. Ebeler
- Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis CA 95616, USA,Department of Viticulture and Enology, University of California Davis, Davis CA 95616, USA
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6
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Leclaire S, Pineaux M, Blanchard P, White J, Hatch SA. Microbiota composition and diversity of multiple body sites vary according to reproductive performance in a seabird. Mol Ecol 2022; 32:2115-2133. [PMID: 35152516 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The microbiota is suggested to be a fundamental contributor to host reproduction and survival, but associations between microbiota and fitness are rare, especially for wild animals. Here, we tested the association between microbiota and two proxies of breeding performance in multiple body sites of the black-legged kittiwake, a seabird species. First we found that, in females, nonbreeders (i.e., birds that did not lay eggs) hosted different microbiota composition to that of breeders in neck and flank feathers, in the choanae, in the outer-bill and in the cloacae, but not in preen feathers and tracheae. These differences in microbiota might reflect variations in age or individual quality between breeders and nonbreeders. Second, we found that better female breeders (i.e., with higher body condition, earlier laying date, heavier eggs, larger clutch, and higher hatching success) had lower abundance of several Corynebacteriaceae in cloaca than poorer female breeders, suggesting that these bacteria might be pathogenic. Third, in females, better breeders had different microbiota composition and lower microbiota diversity in feathers, especially in preen feathers. They had also reduced dispersion in microbiota composition across body sites. These results might suggest that good breeding females are able to control their feather microbiota-potentially through preen secretions-more tightly than poor breeding females. We did not find strong evidence for an association between reproductive outcome and microbiota in males. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that natural variation in the microbiota is associated with differences in host fitness in wild animals, but the causal relationships remain to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Leclaire
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB) UMR5174 Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier CNRS, IRD Toulouse France
| | - Maxime Pineaux
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB) UMR5174 Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier CNRS, IRD Toulouse France
| | - Pierrick Blanchard
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB) UMR5174 Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier CNRS, IRD Toulouse France
| | - Joël White
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB) UMR5174 Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier CNRS, IRD Toulouse France
- ENSFEA Castanet‐Tolosan France
| | - Scott A Hatch
- Institute for Seabird Research and Conservation Anchorage AK 99516 USA
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7
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Huang W, Dicks KL, Hadfield JD, Johnston SE, Ballingall KT, Pemberton JM. Contemporary selection on MHC genes in a free-living ruminant population. Ecol Lett 2022; 25:828-838. [PMID: 35050541 PMCID: PMC9306867 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Genes within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are the most variable identified in vertebrates. Pathogen-mediated selection is believed to be the main force maintaining MHC diversity. However, relatively few studies have demonstrated contemporary selection on MHC genes. Here, we examine associations between MHC variation and several fitness measurements including total fitness and five fitness components, in 3400 wild Soay sheep (Ovis aries) monitored between 1989 and 2012. In terms of total fitness, measured as lifetime breeding success of all individuals born, we found haplotypes named C and D were associated with decreased and increased male total fitness respectively. In terms of fitness components, juvenile survival was associated with haplotype divergence while individual haplotypes (C, D and F) were associated with adult fitness components. Consistent with the increased male total fitness, the rarest haplotype D has increased in frequency throughout the study period more than expected under neutral expectations. Our results demonstrate contemporary natural selection is acting on MHC class II genes in Soay sheep and the mode of selection on specific fitness components can be different mode from selection on total fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kara L Dicks
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jarrod D Hadfield
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Susan E Johnston
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Josephine M Pemberton
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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8
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Pineaux M, Merkling T, Danchin E, Hatch SA, Leclaire S, Blanchard P. MHC-II distance between parents predicts sex allocation decisions in a genetically monogamous bird. Behav Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Theory predicts that parental heritable characteristics should shape sex allocation decisions when their effects on reproduction or survival are offspring sex-dependent. Numerous studies have questioned to what extent characteristics displayed by one of the parents matched theoretical expectations. This contrasts with the handful of studies that investigated whether compatibility between parents could also trigger selective pressures for sex allocation adjustments. We studied the genetically monogamous black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), where previous data revealed that female chicks suffered higher fitness costs from low diversity at genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) than male chicks. We predicted, and found in our dataset, that MHC-similar parents, producing low MHC-diverse offspring, should avoid the production of females. The relation between MHC-distance between parents (i.e. the functional distinctness of their MHC alleles) and offspring sex was not linear, such that MHC-dissimilar parents also overproduced sons. Overall, our results suggest that the genetically monogamous black-legged kittiwake parents flexibly adapt their reproduction and circumvent the costs of suboptimal pairing by manipulating offspring sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Pineaux
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR 5174), Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, CNRS, IRD, UPS. 118 route de Narbonne, Bât. 4R1, 31062 Toulouse cedex 9, France
| | - Thomas Merkling
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR 5174), Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, CNRS, IRD, UPS. 118 route de Narbonne, Bât. 4R1, 31062 Toulouse cedex 9, France
| | - Etienne Danchin
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR 5174), Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, CNRS, IRD, UPS. 118 route de Narbonne, Bât. 4R1, 31062 Toulouse cedex 9, France
| | - Scott A Hatch
- Institute for Seabird Research and Conservation, 12850 Mountain Place, Anchorage, AK 99516, USA
| | - Sarah Leclaire
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR 5174), Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, CNRS, IRD, UPS. 118 route de Narbonne, Bât. 4R1, 31062 Toulouse cedex 9, France
| | - Pierrick Blanchard
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR 5174), Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, CNRS, IRD, UPS. 118 route de Narbonne, Bât. 4R1, 31062 Toulouse cedex 9, France
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9
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Minias P, Drzewińska-Chańko J, Włodarczyk R. Evolution of innate and adaptive immune genes in a non-model waterbird, the common tern. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 95:105069. [PMID: 34487864 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.105069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) are the key pathogen-recognition genes of vertebrate immune system and they have a crucial role in the initiation of innate and adaptive immune response, respectively. Recent advancements in sequencing technology sparked research on highly duplicated MHC genes in non-model species, but TLR variation in natural vertebrate populations has remained little studied and comparisons of polymorphism across both TLRs and MHC are scarce. Here, we aimed to compare variation across innate (four TLR loci) and adaptive (MHC class I and class II) immune genes in a non-model avian species, the common tern Sterna hirundo. We detected relatively high allelic richness at TLR genes (9-48 alleles per locus), which was similar to or even higher than the estimated per locus allelic richness at the MHC (24-30 alleles at class I and 13-16 alleles at class II under uniform sample sizes). Despite this, the total number of MHC alleles across all duplicated loci (four class I and three class II) was much higher and MHC alleles showed greater sequence divergence than TLRs. Positive selection targeted relatively more sites at the MHC than TLRs, but the strength of selection (dN/dS ratios) at TLRs was higher when compared to MHC class I. There were also differences in the signature of positive selection and recombination (gene conversion) between MHC class I and II (stronger signature at class II), suggesting that mechanisms maintaining variation at the MHC may vary between both classes. Our study indicates that allelic richness of both innate and adaptive immune receptors may be maintained at relatively high levels in viable avian populations and we recommend a transition from the traditional gene-specific to multi-gene approach in studying molecular evolution of vertebrate immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Minias
- Department of Biodiversity Studies and Bioeducation, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha 1/3, 90-237 Łódź, Poland.
| | - Joanna Drzewińska-Chańko
- Department of Biodiversity Studies and Bioeducation, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha 1/3, 90-237 Łódź, Poland
| | - Radosław Włodarczyk
- Department of Biodiversity Studies and Bioeducation, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Banacha 1/3, 90-237 Łódź, Poland
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10
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Ma PY, Tan JE, Hee EW, Yong DWX, Heng YS, Low WX, Wu XH, Cletus C, Kumar Chellappan D, Aung K, Yong CY, Liew YK. Human Genetic Variation Influences Enteric Fever Progression. Cells 2021; 10:cells10020345. [PMID: 33562108 PMCID: PMC7915608 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the 21st century, enteric fever is still causing a significant number of mortalities, especially in high-risk regions of the world. Genetic studies involving the genome and transcriptome have revealed a broad set of candidate genetic polymorphisms associated with susceptibility to and the severity of enteric fever. This review attempted to explain and discuss the past and the most recent findings on human genetic variants affecting the progression of Salmonella typhoidal species infection, particularly toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, TLR5, interleukin (IL-) 4, natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (NRAMP1), VAC14, PARK2/PACRG, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), major-histocompatibility-complex (MHC) class II and class III. These polymorphisms on disease susceptibility or progression in patients could be related to multiple mechanisms in eliminating both intracellular and extracellular Salmonella typhoidal species. Here, we also highlighted the limitations in the studies reported, which led to inconclusive results in association studies. Nevertheless, the knowledge obtained through this review may shed some light on the development of risk prediction tools, novel therapies as well as strategies towards developing a personalised typhoid vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Yee Ma
- School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia;
| | - Jing En Tan
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (J.E.T.); (E.W.H.); (D.W.X.Y.); (Y.S.H.); (W.X.L.); (X.H.W.); (C.C.)
| | - Edd Wyn Hee
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (J.E.T.); (E.W.H.); (D.W.X.Y.); (Y.S.H.); (W.X.L.); (X.H.W.); (C.C.)
| | - Dylan Wang Xi Yong
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (J.E.T.); (E.W.H.); (D.W.X.Y.); (Y.S.H.); (W.X.L.); (X.H.W.); (C.C.)
| | - Yi Shuan Heng
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (J.E.T.); (E.W.H.); (D.W.X.Y.); (Y.S.H.); (W.X.L.); (X.H.W.); (C.C.)
| | - Wei Xiang Low
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (J.E.T.); (E.W.H.); (D.W.X.Y.); (Y.S.H.); (W.X.L.); (X.H.W.); (C.C.)
| | - Xun Hui Wu
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (J.E.T.); (E.W.H.); (D.W.X.Y.); (Y.S.H.); (W.X.L.); (X.H.W.); (C.C.)
| | - Christy Cletus
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia; (J.E.T.); (E.W.H.); (D.W.X.Y.); (Y.S.H.); (W.X.L.); (X.H.W.); (C.C.)
| | - Dinesh Kumar Chellappan
- Department of Life Sciences, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia;
| | - Kyan Aung
- Department of Pathology, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia;
| | - Chean Yeah Yong
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor 43400, Malaysia;
| | - Yun Khoon Liew
- Department of Life Sciences, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia;
- Correspondence:
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11
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Jokiniemi A, Magris M, Ritari J, Kuusipalo L, Lundgren T, Partanen J, Kekäläinen J. Post-copulatory genetic matchmaking: HLA-dependent effects of cervical mucus on human sperm function. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20201682. [PMID: 32811307 PMCID: PMC7482290 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.1682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies have demonstrated that women show pre-copulatory mating preferences for human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-dissimilar men. A fascinating, yet unexplored, possibility is that the ultimate mating bias towards HLA-dissimilar partners could occur after copulation, at the gamete level. Here, we explored this possibility by investigating whether the selection towards HLA-dissimilar partners occurs in the cervical mucus. After combining sperm and cervical mucus from multiple males and females (full factorial design), we found that sperm performance (swimming velocity, hyperactivation, and viability) was strongly influenced by the male–female combination. This indicates that sperm fertilization capability may be dependent on the compatibility between cervical mucus (female) and sperm (male). We also found that sperm viability was associated with partners' HLA dissimilarity, indicating that cervical mucus may selectively facilitate later gamete fusion between immunogenetically compatible partners. Together, these results provide novel insights into the female-mediated sperm selection (cryptic female choice) in humans and indicate that processes occurring after copulation may contribute to the mating bias towards HLA-dissimilar partners. Finally, by showing that sperm performance in cervical mucus is influenced by partners' genetic compatibility, the present findings may promote a deeper understanding of infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalaura Jokiniemi
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 111, 80101 Joensuu, Finland
| | - Martina Magris
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 111, 80101 Joensuu, Finland
| | - Jarmo Ritari
- Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, Research and Development, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Liisa Kuusipalo
- North Karelia Central Hospital, Tikkamäentie 16, 80210 Joensuu, Finland
| | - Tuulia Lundgren
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 111, 80101 Joensuu, Finland
| | - Jukka Partanen
- Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, Research and Development, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jukka Kekäläinen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 111, 80101 Joensuu, Finland
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12
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Pineaux M, Merkling T, Danchin E, Hatch S, Duneau D, Blanchard P, Leclaire S. Sex and hatching order modulate the association between MHC-II diversity and fitness in early-life stages of a wild seabird. Mol Ecol 2020; 29:3316-3329. [PMID: 32654215 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) play a pivotal role in parasite resistance, and their allelic diversity has been associated with fitness variations in several taxa. However, studies report inconsistencies in the direction of this association, with either positive, quadratic or no association being described. These discrepancies may arise because the fitness costs and benefits of MHC diversity differ among individuals depending on their exposure and immune responses to parasites. Here, we investigated in black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) chicks whether associations between MHC class-II diversity and fitness vary with sex and hatching order. MHC-II diversity was positively associated with growth and tick clearance in female chicks, but not in male chicks. Our data also revealed a positive association between MHC-II diversity and survival in second-hatched female chicks (two eggs being the typical clutch size). These findings may result from condition-dependent parasite infections differentially impacting sexes in relation to hatching order. We thus suggest that it may be important to account for individual heterogeneities in traits that potentially exert selective pressures on MHC diversity in order to properly predict MHC-fitness associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Pineaux
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR 5174), CNRS, IRD, Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Toulouse, France
| | - Thomas Merkling
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR 5174), CNRS, IRD, Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Toulouse, France
| | - Etienne Danchin
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR 5174), CNRS, IRD, Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Toulouse, France
| | - Scott Hatch
- Institute for Seabird Research and Conservation, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | - David Duneau
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR 5174), CNRS, IRD, Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Toulouse, France
| | - Pierrick Blanchard
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR 5174), CNRS, IRD, Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Toulouse, France
| | - Sarah Leclaire
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique (EDB UMR 5174), CNRS, IRD, Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Toulouse, France
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13
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Unravelling effects of grazing intensity on genetic diversity and fitness of desert vegetation. Perspect Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pecon.2020.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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14
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Sawada A, Ando H, Takagi M. Evaluating the existence and benefit of major histocompatibility complex-based mate choice in an isolated owl population. J Evol Biol 2020; 33:762-772. [PMID: 32281698 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
How mate preferences evolve in the first place has been a major conundrum for sexual selection. Some hypotheses explaining this assume fitness benefit derived from subsequent generations. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-based mate choice is a representative example of the mate choice that is associated with such trans-generational mechanisms. To provide evidences for fitness benefit of MHC-based mate choice, previous studies assessed the association between own MHC genotype and own fitness components. However, the association between MHC-based mate choice in the parental generation and fitness components in the resultant offspring generation has only rarely been measured in wild populations. Focusing on the isolated population of the monogamous Ryukyu Scops Owl (Otus elegans interpositus) on Minami-daito Island, Japan, we found evidence of MHC-based mate choice. However, we found no evidence of MHC-based mate choice increasing own reproductive success or offspring survival. This is a rare case study that directly examines the existence of the trans-generational indirect benefit of MHC-based mate choice for genetic compatibility from trans-generational data in a wild bird population. By investigating the fitness benefits of mate choice, this study serves to facilitate our understanding of the evolution of MHC-based mate choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Sawada
- Department of Natural History Science, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Haruko Ando
- Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Studies, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Masaoki Takagi
- Department of Natural History Science, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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15
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Gaigher A, Burri R, San-Jose LM, Roulin A, Fumagalli L. Lack of statistical power as a major limitation in understanding MHC-mediated immunocompetence in wild vertebrate populations. Mol Ecol 2019; 28:5115-5132. [PMID: 31614047 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Disentangling the sources of variation in developing an effective immune response against pathogens is of major interest to immunoecology and evolutionary biology. To date, the link between immunocompetence and genetic variation at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) has received little attention in wild animals, despite the key role of MHC genes in activating the adaptive immune system. Although several studies point to a link between MHC and immunocompetence, negative findings have also been reported. Such disparate findings suggest that limited statistical power might be affecting studies on this topic, owing to insufficient sample sizes and/or a generally small effect of MHC on the immunocompetence of wild vertebrates. To clarify this issue, we investigated the link between MHC variation and seven immunocompetence proxies in a large sample of barn owls and estimated the effect sizes and statistical power of this and published studies on this topic. We found that MHC poorly explained variation in immunocompetence of barn owls, with small-to-moderate associations between MHC and immunocompetence in owls (effect size: .1 ≥ r ≤ .3) similar to other vertebrates studied to date. Such small-to-moderate effects were largely associated with insufficient power, which was only sufficient (>0.8) to detect moderate-to-large effect sizes (r ≥ .3). Thus, studies linking MHC variation with immunocompetence in wild populations are underpowered to detect MHC effects, which are likely to be of generally small magnitude. Larger sample sizes (>200) will be required to achieve sufficient power in future studies aiming to robustly test for a link between MHC variation and immunocompetence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Gaigher
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Laboratory for Conservation Biology, Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Computational Biology, Génopode, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,CIBIO-InBIO, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Reto Burri
- Department of Population Ecology, Institute of Ecology & Evolution, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Luis M San-Jose
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique, UMR 5174, CNRS, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Alexandre Roulin
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Luca Fumagalli
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Laboratory for Conservation Biology, Biophore, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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16
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Abstract
AbstractMate choice is generally regarded as an independent event, but a growing body of evidence indicates that it can be influenced by social information provided by conspecifics. This is known as non-independent mate choice. Individuals use information gathered by observing interactions between conspecifics to copy or not copy the mate choice of these conspecifics. In this review, we examine the factors that affect non-independent mate choice and mate choice copying and how it is influenced by social and environmental information that is available to the subject or focal individual. Specifically, we discuss how non-independent mate choice and whether individuals copy the choices of conspecifics can be influenced by factors such as habitat and differences in ecology, mating system and parental care. We focus on the social information provided to the focal animal, the model and the audience. Nearly all studies of non-independent mate choice and mate copying have focused on individuals in species that use visual cues as the source of social information. Nevertheless, we highlight studies that indicate that individuals in some species may use chemical cues and signals as sources of social information that may affect non-independent mate choice and mate copying.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C Scauzillo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ellington Hall, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Michael H Ferkin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ellington Hall, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA
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17
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Manlik O, Krützen M, Kopps AM, Mann J, Bejder L, Allen SJ, Frère C, Connor RC, Sherwin WB. Is MHC diversity a better marker for conservation than neutral genetic diversity? A case study of two contrasting dolphin populations. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:6986-6998. [PMID: 31380027 PMCID: PMC6662329 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic diversity is essential for populations to adapt to changing environments. Measures of genetic diversity are often based on selectively neutral markers, such as microsatellites. Genetic diversity to guide conservation management, however, is better reflected by adaptive markers, including genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Our aim was to assess MHC and neutral genetic diversity in two contrasting bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) populations in Western Australia-one apparently viable population with high reproductive output (Shark Bay) and one with lower reproductive output that was forecast to decline (Bunbury). We assessed genetic variation in the two populations by sequencing the MHC class II DQB, which encompasses the functionally important peptide binding regions (PBR). Neutral genetic diversity was assessed by genotyping twenty-three microsatellite loci. We confirmed that MHC is an adaptive marker in both populations. Overall, the Shark Bay population exhibited greater MHC diversity than the Bunbury population-for example, it displayed greater MHC nucleotide diversity. In contrast, the difference in microsatellite diversity between the two populations was comparatively low. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that viable populations typically display greater genetic diversity than less viable populations. The results also suggest that MHC variation is more closely associated with population viability than neutral genetic variation. Although the inferences from our findings are limited, because we only compared two populations, our results add to a growing number of studies that highlight the usefulness of MHC as a potentially suitable genetic marker for animal conservation. The Shark Bay population, which carries greater adaptive genetic diversity than the Bunbury population, is thus likely more robust to natural or human-induced changes to the coastal ecosystem it inhabits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Manlik
- Biology Department, College of ScienceUnited Arab Emirates UniversityAl AinUnited Arab Emirates
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Michael Krützen
- Department of AnthropologyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Anna M. Kopps
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Janet Mann
- Department of Biology and Department of PsychologyGeorgetown UniversityWashingtonDistrict of Columbia
| | - Lars Bejder
- Marine Mammal Research Program, Hawai'i Institute of Marine BiologyUniversity of Hawai'i at ManoaKaneoheHonolulu
- Aquatic Megafauna Research Unit, School of Veterinary and Life SciencesMurdoch UniversityMurdochWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Simon J. Allen
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
| | - Celine Frère
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsQueenslandAustralia
| | | | - William B. Sherwin
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Aquatic Megafauna Research Unit, School of Veterinary and Life SciencesMurdoch UniversityMurdochWestern AustraliaAustralia
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18
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Hoover B, Alcaide M, Jennings S, Sin SYW, Edwards SV, Nevitt GA. Ecology can inform genetics: Disassortative mating contributes to MHC polymorphism in Leach's storm-petrels (Oceanodroma leucorhoa). Mol Ecol 2018; 27:3371-3385. [PMID: 30010226 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Studies of MHC-based mate choice in wild populations often test hypotheses on species exhibiting female choice and male-male competition, which reflects the general prevalence of females as the choosy sex in natural systems. Here, we examined mutual mate-choice patterns in a small burrow-nesting seabird, the Leach's storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa), using the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The life history and ecology of this species are extreme: both partners work together to fledge a single chick during the breeding season, a task that requires regularly travelling hundreds of kilometres to and from foraging grounds over a 6- to 8-week provisioning period. Using a 5-year data set unprecedented for this species (n = 1078 adults and 925 chicks), we found a positive relationship between variation in the likelihood of female reproductive success and heterozygosity at Ocle-DAB2, a MHC class IIB locus. Contrary to previous reports rejecting disassortative mating as a mechanism for maintaining genetic polymorphism in this species, here we show that males make significant disassortative mate-choice decisions. Variability in female reproductive success suggests that the most common homozygous females (Ocle-DAB2*01/Ocle-DAB2*01) may be physiologically disadvantaged and, therefore, less preferred as lifelong partners for choosy males. The results from this study support the role of mate choice in maintaining high levels of MHC variability in a wild seabird species and highlight the need to incorporate a broader ecological framework and sufficient sample sizes into studies of MHC-based mating patterns in wild populations in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Hoover
- Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California, Davis, California
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Miguel Alcaide
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sarah Jennings
- Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California, Davis, California
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Simon Yung Wa Sin
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Scott V Edwards
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Gabrielle A Nevitt
- Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California, Davis, California
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, California
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19
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Grogan KE, Sauther ML, Cuozzo FP, Drea CM. Genetic wealth, population health: Major histocompatibility complex variation in captive and wild ring-tailed lemurs ( Lemur catta). Ecol Evol 2017; 7:7638-7649. [PMID: 29043021 PMCID: PMC5632616 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Across species, diversity at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is critical to individual disease resistance and, hence, to population health; however, MHC diversity can be reduced in small, fragmented, or isolated populations. Given the need for comparative studies of functional genetic diversity, we investigated whether MHC diversity differs between populations which are open, that is experiencing gene flow, versus populations which are closed, that is isolated from other populations. Using the endangered ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) as a model, we compared two populations under long-term study: a relatively "open," wild population (n = 180) derived from Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve, Madagascar (2003-2013) and a "closed," captive population (n = 121) derived from the Duke Lemur Center (DLC, 1980-2013) and from the Indianapolis and Cincinnati Zoos (2012). For all animals, we assessed MHC-DRB diversity and, across populations, we compared the number of unique MHC-DRB alleles and their distributions. Wild individuals possessed more MHC-DRB alleles than did captive individuals, and overall, the wild population had more unique MHC-DRB alleles that were more evenly distributed than did the captive population. Despite management efforts to maintain or increase genetic diversity in the DLC population, MHC diversity remained static from 1980 to 2010. Since 2010, however, captive-breeding efforts resulted in the MHC diversity of offspring increasing to a level commensurate with that found in wild individuals. Therefore, loss of genetic diversity in lemurs, owing to small founder populations or reduced gene flow, can be mitigated by managed breeding efforts. Quantifying MHC diversity within individuals and between populations is the necessary first step to identifying potential improvements to captive management and conservation plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen E. Grogan
- University Program in EcologyDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
- Department of Evolutionary AnthropologyDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | | | - Frank P. Cuozzo
- Lajuma Research CentreLouis Trichardt (Makhado)0920South Africa
| | - Christine M. Drea
- University Program in EcologyDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
- Department of Evolutionary AnthropologyDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
- Department of BiologyDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
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20
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Head ML, Kahn AT, Henshaw JM, Keogh JS, Jennions MD. Sexual selection on male body size, genital length and heterozygosity: Consistency across habitats and social settings. J Anim Ecol 2017; 86:1458-1468. [PMID: 28815592 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Spatial and temporal variation in environmental factors and the social setting can help to maintain genetic variation in sexually selected traits if it affects the strength of directional selection. A key social parameter which affects the intensity of, and sometimes predicts the response to, mating competition is the operational sex ratio (OSR; ratio of receptive males to females). How the OSR affects selection for specific male traits is poorly understood. It is also unclear how sexual selection is affected by interactions between the OSR and environmental factors, such as habitat complexity, that alter key male-female interactions such as mate encounter rates. Here, we experimentally manipulated the OSR and habitat complexity and quantified sexual selection on male mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) by directly measuring male reproductive success (i.e. paternity). We show that despite a more equitable sharing of paternity (i.e. higher levels of multiple paternity) under a male-biased OSR, selection on focal male traits was unaffected by the OSR or habitat complexity. Instead, sexual selection consistently, and significantly, favoured smaller bodied males, males with higher genome wide heterozygosity (based on >3,000 SNP markers) and males with a relatively long gonopodium (intromittent organ). Our results show that sexual selection on male body size, relative genital size and heterozygosity in this system is consistent across environments that vary in ecological parameters that are expected to influence mate encounter rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan L Head
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Andrew T Kahn
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Jonathan M Henshaw
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - J Scott Keogh
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Michael D Jennions
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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21
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Zilkha N, Scott N, Kimchi T. Sexual Dimorphism of Parental Care: From Genes to Behavior. Annu Rev Neurosci 2017; 40:273-305. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-072116-031447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Noga Zilkha
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Niv Scott
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California 92037
| | - Tali Kimchi
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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22
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Diversity of major urinary proteins (MUPs) in wild house mice. Sci Rep 2016; 6:38378. [PMID: 27922085 PMCID: PMC5138617 DOI: 10.1038/srep38378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Major urinary proteins (MUPs) are often suggested to be highly polymorphic, and thereby provide unique chemical signatures used for individual and genetic kin recognition; however, studies on MUP variability have been lacking. We surveyed populations of wild house mice (Mus musculus musculus), and examined variation of MUP genes and proteins. We sequenced several Mup genes (9 to 11 loci) and unexpectedly found no inter-individual variation. We also found that microsatellite markers inside the MUP cluster show remarkably low levels of allelic diversity, and significantly lower than the diversity of markers flanking the cluster or other markers in the genome. We found low individual variation in the number and types of MUP proteins using a shotgun proteomic approach, even among mice with variable MUP electrophoretic profiles. We identified gel bands and spots using high-resolution mass spectrometry and discovered that gel-based methods do not separate MUP proteins, and therefore do not provide measures of MUP diversity, as generally assumed. The low diversity and high homology of Mup genes are likely maintained by purifying selection and gene conversion, and our results indicate that the type of selection on MUPs and their adaptive functions need to be re-evaluated.
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23
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Winternitz J, Abbate JL, Huchard E, Havlíček J, Garamszegi LZ. Patterns of MHC-dependent mate selection in humans and nonhuman primates: a meta-analysis. Mol Ecol 2016; 26:668-688. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.13920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. Winternitz
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology; Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology; August-Thienemann-Strasse 2 24306 Ploen Germany
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology; Czech Academy of Sciences; v.v.i. Květná 8 603 65 Brno Czech Republic
- Institute of Botany; Czech Academy of Sciences; v.v.i. Lidická 25/27 657 20 Brno Czech Republic
| | - J. L. Abbate
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution; University of Bern; Balterstrasse 6 3006 Bern Switzerland
- INRA - UMR 1062 CBGP (INRA; IRD; CIRAD; Montpellier SupAgro); 755 Avenue du campus Agropolis 34988 Montferrier-sur-Lez France
| | - E. Huchard
- CEFE UMR5175; CNRS - Université de Montpellier - EPHE; 1919 Route de Mende 34295 Montpellier Cedex 5 France
| | - J. Havlíček
- Department of Zoology; Faculty of Science; Charles University; Viničná 7 128 44 Prague 2 Czech Republic
| | - L. Z. Garamszegi
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology; Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC; c/Americo Vespucio s/n 41092 Seville Spain
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24
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Zilkha N, Sofer Y, Beny Y, Kimchi T. From classic ethology to modern neuroethology: overcoming the three biases in social behavior research. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2016; 38:96-108. [PMID: 27179302 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2016.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
A typical current study investigating the neurobiology of animal behavior is likely restricted to male subjects, of standard inbred mouse strains, tested in simple behavioral assays under laboratory conditions. This approach enables the use of advanced molecular tools, alongside standardization and reproducibility, and has led to tremendous discoveries. However, the cost is a loss of genetic and phenotypic diversity and a divergence from ethologically-relevant behaviors. Here we review the pros and cons in behavioral neuroscience studies of the new era, focusing on reproductive behaviors in rodents. Recent advances in molecular technology and behavioral phenotyping in semi-natural conditions, together with an awareness of the critical need to study both sexes, may provide new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying social behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noga Zilkha
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Yizhak Sofer
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Yamit Beny
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Tali Kimchi
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
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Cobble KR, Califf KJ, Stone NE, Shuey MM, Birdsell DN, Colman RE, Schupp JM, Aziz M, Van Andel R, Rocke TE, Wagner DM, Busch JD. Genetic variation at the MHC DRB1 locus is similar across Gunnison's prairie dog (Cynomys gunnisoni) colonies regardless of plague history. Ecol Evol 2016; 6:2624-51. [PMID: 27066243 PMCID: PMC4798151 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Revised: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Yersinia pestis was introduced to North America around 1900 and leads to nearly 100% mortality in prairie dog (Cynomys spp.) colonies during epizootic events, which suggests this pathogen may exert a strong selective force. We characterized genetic diversity at an MHC class II locus (DRB1) in Gunnison's prairie dog (C. gunnisoni) and quantified population genetic structure at the DRB1 versus 12 microsatellite loci in three large Arizona colonies. Two colonies, Seligman (SE) and Espee Ranch (ES), have experienced multiple plague‐related die‐offs in recent years, whereas plague has never been documented at Aubrey Valley (AV). We found fairly low allelic diversity at the DRB1 locus, with one allele (DRB1*01) at high frequency (0.67–0.87) in all colonies. Two other DRB1 alleles appear to be trans‐species polymorphisms shared with the black‐tailed prairie dog (C. ludovicianus), indicating that these alleles have been maintained across evolutionary time frames. Estimates of genetic differentiation were generally lower at the MHC locus (FST = 0.033) than at microsatellite markers (FST = 0.098). The reduced differentiation at DRB1 may indicate that selection has been important for shaping variation at MHC loci, regardless of the presence or absence of plague in recent decades. However, genetic drift has probably also influenced the DRB1 locus because its level of differentiation was not different from that of microsatellites in an FST outlier analysis. We then compared specific MHC alleles to plague survivorship in 60 C. gunnisoni that had been experimentally infected with Y. pestis. We found that survival was greater in individuals that carried at least one copy of the most common allele (DRB1*01) compared to those that did not (60% vs. 20%). Although the sample sizes of these two groups were unbalanced, this result suggests the possibility that this MHC class II locus, or a nearby linked gene, could play a role in plague survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kacy R Cobble
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics Northern Arizona University PO Box 4073 Flagstaff Arizona 86011 USA
| | - Katy J Califf
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics Northern Arizona University PO Box 4073 Flagstaff Arizona 86011 USA
| | - Nathan E Stone
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics Northern Arizona University PO Box 4073 Flagstaff Arizona 86011 USA
| | - Megan M Shuey
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics Northern Arizona University PO Box 4073 Flagstaff Arizona 86011 USA
| | - Dawn N Birdsell
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics Northern Arizona University PO Box 4073 Flagstaff Arizona 86011 USA
| | - Rebecca E Colman
- Translational Genomics Research Institute North 3051 W. Shamrell Blvd #106 Flagstaff Arizona 86001 USA
| | - James M Schupp
- Translational Genomics Research Institute North 3051 W. Shamrell Blvd #106 Flagstaff Arizona 86001 USA
| | - Maliha Aziz
- Translational Genomics Research Institute North 3051 W. Shamrell Blvd #106 Flagstaff Arizona 86001 USA
| | - Roger Van Andel
- University of California Berkeley MC 7150 Berkeley California 94720 USA
| | - Tonie E Rocke
- United States Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center 6006 Schroeder Road Madison Wisconsin 53711 USA
| | - David M Wagner
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics Northern Arizona University PO Box 4073 Flagstaff Arizona 86011 USA
| | - Joseph D Busch
- Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics Northern Arizona University PO Box 4073 Flagstaff Arizona 86011 USA
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Galaverni M, Caniglia R, Milanesi P, Lapalombella S, Fabbri E, Randi E. Choosy Wolves? Heterozygote Advantage But No Evidence of MHC-Based Disassortative Mating. J Hered 2015; 107:134-42. [PMID: 26610365 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esv090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A variety of nonrandom mate choice strategies, including disassortative mating, are used by vertebrate species to avoid inbreeding, maintain heterozygosity and increase fitness. Disassortative mating may be mediated by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), an important gene cluster controlling immune responses to pathogens. We investigated the patterns of mate choice in 26 wild-living breeding pairs of gray wolf (Canis lupus) that were identified through noninvasive genetic methods and genotyped at 3 MHC class II and 12 autosomal microsatellite (STR) loci. We tested for deviations from random mating and evaluated the covariance of genetic variables at functional and STR markers with fitness proxies deduced from pedigree reconstructions. Results did not show evidences of MHC-based disassortative mating. Rather we found a higher peptide similarity between mates at MHC loci as compared with random expectations. Fitness values were positively correlated with heterozygosity of the breeders at both MHC and STR loci, whereas they decreased with relatedness at STRs. These findings may indicate fitness advantages for breeders that, while avoiding highly related mates, are more similar at the MHC and have high levels of heterozygosity overall. Such a pattern of MHC-assortative mating may reflect local coadaptation of the breeders, while a reduction in genetic diversity may be balanced by heterozygote advantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Galaverni
- From the Laboratorio di genetica, ISPRA, via Cà Fornacetta 9, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia (Bologna), Italy (Galaverni, Caniglia, Milanesi, Fabbri, and Randi); Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy (Lapalombella); and Department 18/Section of Environmental Engineering, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark (Randi).
| | - Romolo Caniglia
- From the Laboratorio di genetica, ISPRA, via Cà Fornacetta 9, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia (Bologna), Italy (Galaverni, Caniglia, Milanesi, Fabbri, and Randi); Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy (Lapalombella); and Department 18/Section of Environmental Engineering, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark (Randi)
| | - Pietro Milanesi
- From the Laboratorio di genetica, ISPRA, via Cà Fornacetta 9, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia (Bologna), Italy (Galaverni, Caniglia, Milanesi, Fabbri, and Randi); Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy (Lapalombella); and Department 18/Section of Environmental Engineering, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark (Randi)
| | - Silvana Lapalombella
- From the Laboratorio di genetica, ISPRA, via Cà Fornacetta 9, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia (Bologna), Italy (Galaverni, Caniglia, Milanesi, Fabbri, and Randi); Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy (Lapalombella); and Department 18/Section of Environmental Engineering, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark (Randi)
| | - Elena Fabbri
- From the Laboratorio di genetica, ISPRA, via Cà Fornacetta 9, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia (Bologna), Italy (Galaverni, Caniglia, Milanesi, Fabbri, and Randi); Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy (Lapalombella); and Department 18/Section of Environmental Engineering, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark (Randi)
| | - Ettore Randi
- From the Laboratorio di genetica, ISPRA, via Cà Fornacetta 9, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia (Bologna), Italy (Galaverni, Caniglia, Milanesi, Fabbri, and Randi); Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy (Lapalombella); and Department 18/Section of Environmental Engineering, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark (Randi)
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27
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Lack of Spatial Immunogenetic Structure among Wolverine (Gulo gulo) Populations Suggestive of Broad Scale Balancing Selection. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0140170. [PMID: 26448462 PMCID: PMC4598017 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Elucidating the adaptive genetic potential of wildlife populations to environmental selective pressures is fundamental for species conservation. Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are highly polymorphic, and play a key role in the adaptive immune response against pathogens. MHC polymorphism has been linked to balancing selection or heterogeneous selection promoting local adaptation. However, spatial patterns of MHC polymorphism are also influenced by gene flow and drift. Wolverines are highly vagile, inhabiting varied ecoregions that include boreal forest, taiga, tundra, and high alpine ecosystems. Here, we investigated the immunogenetic variation of wolverines in Canada as a surrogate for identifying local adaptation by contrasting the genetic structure at MHC relative to the structure at 11 neutral microsatellites to account for gene flow and drift. Evidence of historical positive selection was detected at MHC using maximum likelihood codon-based methods. Bayesian and multivariate cluster analyses revealed weaker population genetic differentiation at MHC relative to the increasing microsatellite genetic structure towards the eastern wolverine distribution. Mantel correlations of MHC against geographical distances showed no pattern of isolation by distance (IBD: r = -0.03, p = 0.9), whereas for microsatellites we found a relatively strong and significant IBD (r = 0.54, p = 0.01). Moreover, we found a significant correlation between microsatellite allelic richness and the mean number of MHC alleles, but we did not observe low MHC diversity in small populations. Overall these results suggest that MHC polymorphism has been influenced primarily by balancing selection and to a lesser extent by neutral processes such as genetic drift, with no clear evidence for local adaptation. This study contributes to our understanding of how vulnerable populations of wolverines may respond to selective pressures across their range.
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Musolf K, Meindl S, Larsen AL, Kalcounis-Rueppell MC, Penn DJ. Ultrasonic Vocalizations of Male Mice Differ among Species and Females Show Assortative Preferences for Male Calls. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0134123. [PMID: 26309246 PMCID: PMC4550448 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Male house mice (Mus musculus) emit ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) during courtship, which attract females, and we aimed to test whether females use these vocalizations for species or subspecies recognition of potential mates. We recorded courtship USVs of males from different Mus species, Mus musculus subspecies, and populations (F1 offspring of wild-caught Mus musculus musculus, Mus musculus domesticus (and F1 hybrid crosses), and Mus spicilegus), and we conducted playback experiments to measure female preferences for male USVs. Male vocalizations contained at least seven distinct syllable types, whose frequency of occurrence varied among species, subspecies, and populations. Detailed analyses of multiple common syllable types indicated that Mus musculus and Mus spicilegus could be discriminated based on spectral and temporal characteristics of their vocalizations, and populations of Mus musculus were also distinctive regardless of the classification model used. Females were able to discriminate USVs from different species, and showed assortative preferences for conspecific males. We found no evidence that females discriminate USVs of males from a different subspecies or separate populations of the same species, even though our spectral analyses identified acoustic features that differ between species, subspecies, and populations of the same species. Our results provide the first comparison of USVs between Mus species or between Mus musculus subspecies, and the first evidence that male USVs potentially facilitate species recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Musolf
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Biology, Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Stefanie Meindl
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Angela L. Larsen
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Matina C. Kalcounis-Rueppell
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Dustin J. Penn
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
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Thoß M, Luzynski KC, Ante M, Miller I, Penn DJ. Major urinary protein (MUP) profiles show dynamic changes rather than individual 'barcode' signatures. Front Ecol Evol 2015; 3. [PMID: 26973837 DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2015.00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
House mice (Mus musculus) produce a variable number of major urinary proteins (MUPs), and studies suggest that each individual produces a unique MUP profile that provides a distinctive odor signature controlling individual and kin recognition. This 'barcode hypothesis' requires that MUP urinary profiles show high individual variability within populations and also high individual consistency over time, but tests of these assumptions are lacking. We analyzed urinary MUP profiles of 66 wild-caught house mice from eight populations using isoelectric focusing. We found that MUP profiles of wild male house mice are not individually unique, and though they were highly variable, closer inspection revealed that the variation strongly depended on MUP band type. The prominent ('major) bands were surprisingly homogenous (and hence most MUPs are not polymorphic), but we also found inconspicuous ('minor') bands that were highly variable and therefore potential candidates for individual fingerprints. We also examined changes in urinary MUP profiles of 58 males over time (from 6 to 24 weeks of age), and found that individual MUP profiles and MUP concentration were surprisingly dynamic, and showed significant changes after puberty and during adulthood. Contrary to what we expected, however, the minor bands were the most variable over time, thus no good candidates for individual fingerprints. Although MUP profiles do not provide individual fingerprints, we found that MUP profiles were more similar among siblings than non-kin despite considerable fluctuation. Our findings show that MUP profiles are not highly stable over time, they do not show strong individual clustering, and thus challenge the barcode hypothesis. Within-individual dynamics of MUP profiles indicate a different function of MUPs in individual recognition than previously assumed and advocate an alternative hypothesis ('dynamic changes' hypothesis).
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Affiliation(s)
- M Thoß
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - K C Luzynski
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - M Ante
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - I Miller
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - D J Penn
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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30
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Sepil I, Radersma R, Santure AW, De Cauwer I, Slate J, Sheldon BC. No evidence for MHC class I-based disassortative mating in a wild population of great tits. J Evol Biol 2015; 28:642-54. [DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- I. Sepil
- Department of Zoology; Edward Grey Institute; University of Oxford; Oxford UK
| | - R. Radersma
- Department of Zoology; Edward Grey Institute; University of Oxford; Oxford UK
| | - A. W. Santure
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences; University of Sheffield; Sheffield UK
- School of Biological Sciences; The University of Auckland; Auckland New Zealand
| | - I. De Cauwer
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences; University of Sheffield; Sheffield UK
- Laboratoire de Génétique et Evolution des Populations Végétales; UMR CNRS 8198; Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille-Lille 1; Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex France
| | - J. Slate
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences; University of Sheffield; Sheffield UK
| | - B. C. Sheldon
- Department of Zoology; Edward Grey Institute; University of Oxford; Oxford UK
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31
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Caro SP, Balthazart J, Bonadonna F. The perfume of reproduction in birds: chemosignaling in avian social life. Horm Behav 2015; 68:25-42. [PMID: 24928570 PMCID: PMC4263688 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2014] [Revised: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This article is part of a Special Issue "Chemosignals and Reproduction". Chemical cues were probably the first cues ever used to communicate and are still ubiquitous among living organisms. Birds have long been considered an exception: it was believed that birds were anosmic and relied on their acute visual and acoustic capabilities. Birds are however excellent smellers and use odors in various contexts including food searching, orientation, and also breeding. Successful reproduction in most vertebrates involves the exchange of complex social signals between partners. The first evidence for a role of olfaction in reproductive contexts in birds only dates back to the seventies, when ducks were shown to require a functional sense of smell to express normal sexual behaviors. Nowadays, even if the interest for olfaction in birds has largely increased, the role that bodily odors play in reproduction still remains largely understudied. The few available studies suggest that olfaction is involved in many reproductive stages. Odors have been shown to influence the choice and synchronization of partners, the choice of nest-building material or the care for the eggs and offspring. How this chemical information is translated at the physiological level mostly remains to be described, although available evidence suggests that, as in mammals, key reproductive brain areas like the medial preoptic nucleus are activated by relevant olfactory signals. Olfaction in birds receives increasing attention and novel findings are continuously published, but many exciting discoveries are still ahead of us, and could make birds one of the animal classes with the largest panel of developed senses ever described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel P Caro
- Research Group in Behavioural Ecology, Department of Evolutionary Ecology, CEFE-CNRS (UMR 5175), Montpellier, France; Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Jacques Balthazart
- Research Group in Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Center for Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Liège, Belgium
| | - Francesco Bonadonna
- Research Group in Behavioural Ecology, Department of Evolutionary Ecology, CEFE-CNRS (UMR 5175), Montpellier, France
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32
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Kuduk K, Babik W, Bellemain E, Valentini A, Zedrosser A, Taberlet P, Kindberg J, Swenson JE, Radwan J. No evidence for the effect of MHC on male mating success in the brown bear. PLoS One 2014; 9:e113414. [PMID: 25470381 PMCID: PMC4254848 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mate choice is thought to contribute to the maintenance of the spectacularly high polymorphism of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genes, along with balancing selection from parasites, but the relative contribution of the former mechanism is debated. Here, we investigated the association between male MHC genotype and mating success in the brown bear. We analysed fragments of sequences coding for the peptide-binding region of the highly polymorphic MHC class I and class II DRB genes, while controlling for genome-wide effects using a panel of 18 microsatellite markers. Male mating success did not depend on the number of alleles shared with the female or amino-acid distance between potential mates at either locus. Furthermore, we found no indication of female mating preferences for MHC similarity being contingent on the number of alleles the females carried. Finally, we found no significant association between the number of MHC alleles a male carried and his mating success. Thus, our results provided no support for the role of mate choice in shaping MHC polymorphism in the brown bear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Kuduk
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, ul. Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Wieslaw Babik
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, ul. Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Eva Bellemain
- SPYGEN, Savoie Technolac - Bât. Koala 17, rue du Lac Saint-André - BP 274, 73375, Le Bourget-du-Lac Cedex, France
| | - Alice Valentini
- SPYGEN, Savoie Technolac - Bât. Koala 17, rue du Lac Saint-André - BP 274, 73375, Le Bourget-du-Lac Cedex, France
| | - Andreas Zedrosser
- Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NO-1432, Ås, Norway
- Institute for Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, AT-1180, Vienna, Austria
| | - Pierre Taberlet
- CNRS, LECA, F-38000, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, LECA, F-38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Jonas Kindberg
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jon E. Swenson
- Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NO-1432, Ås, Norway
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, NO-7485, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jacek Radwan
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, ul. Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
- * E-mail:
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33
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Hablützel PI, Vanhove MPM, Grégoir AF, Hellemans B, Volckaert FAM, Raeymaekers JAM. Intermediate number of major histocompatibility complex class IIB
length variants relates to enlarged perivisceral fat deposits in the blunt-head cichlid Tropheus moorii. J Evol Biol 2014; 27:2177-90. [DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2013] [Revised: 07/18/2014] [Accepted: 07/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- P. I. Hablützel
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics; University of Leuven; Leuven Belgium
| | - M. P. M. Vanhove
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics; University of Leuven; Leuven Belgium
- Department of Botany and Zoology; Faculty of Science; Masaryk University; Brno Czech Republic
- Biology Department; Royal Museum for Central Africa; Tervuren Belgium
- Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters; Hellenic Centre for Marine Research; Anavyssos Greece
| | - A. F. Grégoir
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution and Conservation; University of Leuven; Leuven Belgium
| | - B. Hellemans
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics; University of Leuven; Leuven Belgium
| | - F. A. M. Volckaert
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics; University of Leuven; Leuven Belgium
| | - J. A. M. Raeymaekers
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Genomics; University of Leuven; Leuven Belgium
- Zoological Institute; University of Basel; Basel Switzerland
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35
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Trojan Genes and Transparent Genomes: Sexual Selection, Regulatory Evolution and the Real Hopeful Monsters. Evol Biol 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s11692-014-9276-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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36
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Ramm SA, Stockley P. Sequential male mate choice under sperm competition risk. Behav Ecol 2014; 25:660-667. [PMID: 24822023 PMCID: PMC4014308 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/aru037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2013] [Revised: 02/10/2014] [Accepted: 02/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
New research shows that male house mice can be coy too. Male eagerness to mate is a central tenet of sexual selection theory, based on the expectation that male reproductive success is limited mainly by access to females. Here, we show that where sperm supplies are limited, males too can display considerable restraint in mating, targeting reproductive effort toward particular females. Male eagerness to mate is a central paradigm of sexual selection theory. However, limited sperm supplies mean that male sexual restraint might sometimes be favored under promiscuous mating. Here, we demonstrate dynamic plasticity in male mating effort when females are encountered sequentially under varying sperm competition risk. Rather than showing consistent eagerness to mate, male house mice (Mus musculus domesticus) instead tailor their mating effort according to likely reproductive payoffs. They are significantly less likely to mate when sperm competition is certain and potential reproductive payoffs low, but dramatically increase investment if they do choose to mate under such circumstances. By contrast, male mice are significantly more likely to mate in situations simulating extra-territorial copulations, where future risk of competition is high but so too are potential reproductive rewards. Differential mating propensity appears to be the primary mechanism by which male house mice allocate sperm adaptively under sperm competition risk because we find no evidence for facultative adjustment of sperm numbers per ejaculate or ejaculation frequency in response to female-related cues. We conclude that sequential male mate choice under sperm competition risk could be a widespread but often unappreciated mechanism of strategic sperm allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven A Ramm
- Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group , Institute of Integrative Biology , University of Liverpool , Leahurst Campus , Chester High Road , Neston CH64 7TE , UK
| | - Paula Stockley
- Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group , Institute of Integrative Biology , University of Liverpool , Leahurst Campus , Chester High Road , Neston CH64 7TE , UK
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37
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van Bergen E, Brakefield PM, Heuskin S, Zwaan BJ, Nieberding CM. The scent of inbreeding: a male sex pheromone betrays inbred males. Proc Biol Sci 2013; 280:20130102. [PMID: 23466986 PMCID: PMC3619463 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2013.0102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2013] [Accepted: 02/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Inbreeding depression results from mating among genetically related individuals and impairs reproductive success. The decrease in male mating success is usually attributed to an impact on multiple fitness-related traits that reduce the general condition of inbred males. Here, we find that the production of the male sex pheromone is reduced significantly by inbreeding in the butterfly Bicyclus anynana. Other traits indicative of the general condition, including flight performance, are also negatively affected in male butterflies by inbreeding. Yet, we unambiguously show that only the production of male pheromones affects mating success. Thus, this pheromone signal informs females about the inbreeding status of their mating partners. We also identify the specific chemical component (hexadecanal) probably responsible for the decrease in male mating success. Our results advocate giving increased attention to olfactory communication as a major causal factor of mate-choice decisions and sexual selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik van Bergen
- Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, RA 2300 Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Lindholm AK, Musolf K, Weidt A, König B. Mate choice for genetic compatibility in the house mouse. Ecol Evol 2013; 3:1231-47. [PMID: 23762510 PMCID: PMC3678478 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2012] [Revised: 02/14/2013] [Accepted: 02/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
In house mice, genetic compatibility is influenced by the t haplotype, a driving selfish genetic element with a recessive lethal allele, imposing fundamental costs on mate choice decisions. Here, we evaluate the cost of genetic incompatibility and its implication for mate choice in a wild house mice population. In laboratory reared mice, we detected no fertility (number of embryos) or fecundity (ability to conceive) costs of the t, and yet we found a high cost of genetic incompatibility: heterozygote crosses produced 40% smaller birth litter sizes because of prenatal mortality. Surprisingly, transmission of t in crosses using +/t males was influenced by female genotype, consistent with postcopulatory female choice for + sperm in +/t females. Analysis of paternity patterns in a wild population of house mice showed that +/t females were more likely than +/+ females to have offspring sired by +/+ males, and unlike +/+ females, paternity of their offspring was not influenced by +/t male frequency, further supporting mate choice for genetic compatibility. As the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is physically linked to the t, we investigated whether females could potentially use variation at the MHC to identify male genotype at the sperm or individual level. A unique MHC haplotype is linked to the t haplotype. This MHC haplotype could allow the recognition of t and enable pre- and postcopulatory mate choice for genetic compatibility. Alternatively, the MHC itself could be the target of mate choice for genetic compatibility. We predict that mate choice for genetic compatibility will be difficult to find in many systems, as only weak fertilization biases were found despite an exceptionally high cost of genetic incompatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K Lindholm
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology und Environmental Studies, University of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
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Andrew RL, Bernatchez L, Bonin A, Buerkle CA, Carstens BC, Emerson BC, Garant D, Giraud T, Kane NC, Rogers SM, Slate J, Smith H, Sork VL, Stone GN, Vines TH, Waits L, Widmer A, Rieseberg LH. A road map for molecular ecology. Mol Ecol 2013; 22:2605-26. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.12319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Accepted: 03/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rose L. Andrew
- Department of Botany; University of British Columbia; 3529-6270 University Blvd Vancouver BC V6T 1Z4 Canada
| | - Louis Bernatchez
- DInstitut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systémes; Département de Biologie; 1030, Avenue de la Médecine Université Laval; Québec QC G1V 0A6 Canada
| | - Aurélie Bonin
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine; CNRS UMR 5553 Université Joseph Fourier; BP 53, 38041 Grenoble Cedex 9 France
| | - C. Alex. Buerkle
- Department of Botany; University of Wyoming; 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie WY 82071 USA
| | - Bryan C. Carstens
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology; 318 W. 12th Ave. The Ohio State University; Columbus OH 43210 USA
| | - Brent C. Emerson
- Island Ecology and Evolution Research Group; Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA-CSIC) C/Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez 3 La Laguna Tenerife; Canary Islands 38206 Spain
| | - Dany Garant
- Département de Biologie; Université de Sherbrooke; Sherbrooke QC J1K 2R1 Canada
| | - Tatiana Giraud
- Laboratoire Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution; UMR 8079 CNRS-UPS-AgroParisTech, Bâtiment 360 Univ. Paris Sud; 91405 Orsay cedex France
| | - Nolan C. Kane
- Department of Botany; University of British Columbia; 3529-6270 University Blvd Vancouver BC V6T 1Z4 Canada
| | - Sean M. Rogers
- Department of Biological Sciences; University of Calgary; 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary AB T2N 1N4 Canada
| | - Jon Slate
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences; University of Sheffield; Sheffield S10 2TN UK
| | - Harry Smith
- 79 Melton Road Burton-on-the-Wolds Loughborough LE12 5TQ UK
| | - Victoria L. Sork
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of California Los Angeles; 4139 Terasaki Life Sciences Building, 610 Charles E. Young Drive East Los Angeles CA 90095 USA
| | - Graham N. Stone
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology; University of Edinburgh; The King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JT UK
| | - Timothy H. Vines
- Molecular Ecology Editorial Office; 6270 University Blvd Vancouver BC V6T 1Z4 Canada
| | - Lisette Waits
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences; University of Idaho; 875 Perimeter Drive MS 1136 Moscow ID 83844 USA
| | - Alex Widmer
- ETH Zurich; Institute of Integrative Biology; Universitätstrasse 16 Zurich 8092 Switzerland
| | - Loren H. Rieseberg
- Department of Botany; University of British Columbia; 3529-6270 University Blvd Vancouver BC V6T 1Z4 Canada
- Department of Biology; Indiana University; 1001 E. 3 St., Bloomington IN 47405 USA
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Califf KJ, Ratzloff EK, Wagner AP, Holekamp KE, Williams BL. Forces shaping major histocompatibility complex evolution in two hyena species. J Mammal 2013. [DOI: 10.1644/12-mamm-a-054.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Sepil I, Lachish S, Sheldon BC. Mhc-linked survival and lifetime reproductive success in a wild population of great tits. Mol Ecol 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.12123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Irem Sepil
- Department of Zoology; Edward Grey Institute; University of Oxford; South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PS UK
| | - Shelly Lachish
- Department of Zoology; Edward Grey Institute; University of Oxford; South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PS UK
| | - Ben C. Sheldon
- Department of Zoology; Edward Grey Institute; University of Oxford; South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PS UK
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Luo MF, Pan HJ, Liu ZJ, Li M. Balancing selection and genetic drift at major histocompatibility complex class II genes in isolated populations of golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana). BMC Evol Biol 2012; 12:207. [PMID: 23083308 PMCID: PMC3532231 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-12-207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2012] [Accepted: 10/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small, isolated populations often experience loss of genetic variation due to random genetic drift. Unlike neutral or nearly neutral markers (such as mitochondrial genes or microsatellites), major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes in these populations may retain high levels of polymorphism due to balancing selection. The relative roles of balancing selection and genetic drift in either small isolated or bottlenecked populations remain controversial. In this study, we examined the mechanisms maintaining polymorphisms of MHC genes in small isolated populations of the endangered golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) by comparing genetic variation found in MHC and microsatellite loci. There are few studies of this kind conducted on highly endangered primate species. RESULTS Two MHC genes were sequenced and sixteen microsatellite loci were genotyped from samples representing three isolated populations. We isolated nine DQA1 alleles and sixteen DQB1 alleles and validated expression of the alleles. Lowest genetic variation for both MHC and microsatellites was found in the Shennongjia (SNJ) population. Historical balancing selection was revealed at both the DQA1 and DQB1 loci, as revealed by excess non-synonymous substitutions at antigen binding sites (ABS) and maximum-likelihood-based random-site models. Patterns of microsatellite variation revealed population structure. FST outlier analysis showed that population differentiation at the two MHC loci was similar to the microsatellite loci. CONCLUSIONS MHC genes and microsatellite loci showed the same allelic richness pattern with the lowest genetic variation occurring in SNJ, suggesting that genetic drift played a prominent role in these isolated populations. As MHC genes are subject to selective pressures, the maintenance of genetic variation is of particular interest in small, long-isolated populations. The results of this study may contribute to captive breeding and translocation programs for endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao-Fang Luo
- Key laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1-5 Beixhenxi Road, Chaoyang, Beijing, 100101, China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
- Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hui-Juan Pan
- College of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Zhi-Jin Liu
- Key laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1-5 Beixhenxi Road, Chaoyang, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Ming Li
- Key laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1-5 Beixhenxi Road, Chaoyang, Beijing, 100101, China
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Dunn PO, Bollmer JL, Freeman-Gallant CR, Whittingham LA. MHC VARIATION IS RELATED TO A SEXUALLY SELECTED ORNAMENT, SURVIVAL, AND PARASITE RESISTANCE IN COMMON YELLOWTHROATS. Evolution 2012; 67:679-87. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.2012.01799.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Agudo R, Carrete M, Alcaide M, Rico C, Hiraldo F, Donázar JA. Genetic diversity at neutral and adaptive loci determines individual fitness in a long-lived territorial bird. Proc Biol Sci 2012; 279:3241-9. [PMID: 22553093 PMCID: PMC3385713 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2011.2606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2011] [Accepted: 04/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
There is compelling evidence about the manifest effects of inbreeding depression on individual fitness and populations' risk of extinction. The majority of studies addressing inbreeding depression on wild populations are generally based on indirect measures of inbreeding using neutral markers. However, the study of functional loci, such as genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), is highly recommended. MHC genes constitute an essential component of the immune system of individuals, which is directly related to individual fitness and survival. In this study, we analyse heterozygosity fitness correlations of neutral and adaptive genetic variation (22 microsatellite loci and two loci of the MHC class II, respectively) with the age of recruitment and breeding success of a decimated and geographically isolated population of a long-lived territorial vulture. Our results indicate a negative correlation between neutral genetic diversity and age of recruitment, suggesting that inbreeding may be delaying reproduction. We also found a positive correlation between functional (MHC) genetic diversity and breeding success, together with a specific positive effect of the most frequent pair of cosegregating MHC alleles in the population. Globally, our findings demonstrate that genetic depauperation in small populations has a negative impact on the individual fitness, thus increasing the populations' extinction risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Agudo
- Department of Conservation Biology, Doñana Biological Station (CSIC), Avda Américo Vespucio s/n, 41092 Seville, Spain.
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Rogers SD, Peacock MM. The disappearing northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens): conservation genetics and implications for remnant populations in western Nevada. Ecol Evol 2012; 2:2040-56. [PMID: 22957204 PMCID: PMC3434006 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2012] [Revised: 05/29/2012] [Accepted: 06/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Global amphibian declines suggest a major shift in the amount and quality of habitat for these sensitive taxa. Many species that were once widespread are now experiencing declines either in part of or across their historic range. The northern leopard frog (Rana [Lithobates] pipiens] has undergone significant declines particularly in the western United States and Canada. Leopard frog population losses in Nevada are largely due to habitat fragmentation and the introduction of nonnative fish, amphibian, and plant species. Only two populations remain in the Truckee and Carson River watersheds of western Nevada which represents the western boundary of this species range. We used sequence data for an 812 base pair fragment of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase 1 (ND1) gene to support a native origin for western Nevada populations. All frogs had a single haplotype (W07) from the distinct western North America ND1 haplotype clade. Data from seven polymorphic microsatellite loci show that Truckee and Carson River populations are highly differentiated from each other and from leopard frogs collected from eastern Nevada sites. Lack of gene flow among and distinct color morphs among the western Nevada populations likely predates the current geographical isolation. Comparisons with other peripheral L. pipiens populations show western Nevada populations have similar levels of gene diversity despite their contemporary isolation (HE 0.411, 0.482). Restoration of leopard frog populations in these watersheds will be challenging given well-entrenched nonnative bullfrog populations and major changes to the riparian zone over the past century. Declines of once common amphibian species has become a major conservation concern. Contemporary isolation of populations on a species range periphery such as the leopard frog populations in the Truckee and Carson rivers further exacerbate extirpation risk as these populations are likely to have fewer genetic resources to adaptively respond to rapidly changing biotic and abiotic environments.
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46
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Extrapair copulations reduce inbreeding for female red-backed fairy-wrens, Malurus melanocephalus. Anim Behav 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2012.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Schaschl H, Suchentrunk F, Morris DL, Ben Slimen H, Smith S, Arnold W. Sex-specific selection for MHC variability in Alpine chamois. BMC Evol Biol 2012; 12:20. [PMID: 22335968 PMCID: PMC3340304 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-12-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2011] [Accepted: 02/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In mammals, males typically have shorter lives than females. This difference is thought to be due to behavioural traits which enhance competitive abilities, and hence male reproductive success, but impair survival. Furthermore, in many species males usually show higher parasite burden than females. Consequently, the intensity of selection for genetic factors which reduce susceptibility to pathogens may differ between sexes. High variability at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes is believed to be advantageous for detecting and combating the range of infectious agents present in the environment. Increased heterozygosity at these immune genes is expected to be important for individual longevity. However, whether males in natural populations benefit more from MHC heterozygosity than females has rarely been investigated. We investigated this question in a long-term study of free-living Alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), a polygynous mountain ungulate. Results Here we show that male chamois survive significantly (P = 0.022) longer if heterozygous at the MHC class II DRB locus, whereas females do not. Improved survival of males was not a result of heterozygote advantage per se, as background heterozygosity (estimated across twelve microsatellite loci) did not change significantly with age. Furthermore, reproductively active males depleted their body fat reserves earlier than females leading to significantly impaired survival rates in this sex (P < 0.008). This sex-difference was even more pronounced in areas affected by scabies, a severe parasitosis, as reproductively active males were less likely to survive than females. However, we did not find evidence for a survival advantage associated with specific MHC alleles in areas affected by scabies. Conclusions Increased MHC class II DRB heterozygosity with age in males, suggests that MHC heterozygous males survive longer than homozygotes. Reproductively active males appear to be less likely to survive than females most likely because of the energetic challenge of the winter rut, accompanied by earlier depletion of their body fat stores, and a generally higher parasite burden. This scenario renders the MHC-mediated immune response more important for males than for females, which implies a relatively stronger selection pressure on MHC genes in males than in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helmut Schaschl
- Department for Integrative Biology and Evolution, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstrasse 1, 1160 Vienna, Austria.
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49
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Kirk H, Freeland JR. Applications and implications of neutral versus non-neutral markers in molecular ecology. Int J Mol Sci 2011; 12:3966-88. [PMID: 21747718 PMCID: PMC3131602 DOI: 10.3390/ijms12063966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2011] [Revised: 06/06/2011] [Accepted: 06/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of molecular ecology has expanded enormously in the past two decades, largely because of the growing ease with which neutral molecular genetic data can be obtained from virtually any taxonomic group. However, there is also a growing awareness that neutral molecular data can provide only partial insight into parameters such as genetic diversity, local adaptation, evolutionary potential, effective population size, and taxonomic designations. Here we review some of the applications of neutral versus adaptive markers in molecular ecology, discuss some of the advantages that can be obtained by supplementing studies of molecular ecology with data from non-neutral molecular markers, and summarize new methods that are enabling researchers to generate data from genes that are under selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Kirk
- Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8, Canada; E-Mail:
| | - Joanna R. Freeland
- Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8, Canada; E-Mail:
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