MHC genotype and male ornamentation: Genetic evidence for the Hamilton-Zuk model
Author
Summary, in English
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is an immunologically important cluster of highly variable genes that is known to affect fitness in domesticated mammals and birds. Spur length of male pheasants in southern Sweden correlates with male viability, female mate choice, and offspring survival rate. Here we show by genetic analyses that the MHC genotype is associated with variation in both male spur length and male viability. These are the first data that directly support a 'good genes' hypothesis by Hamilton and Zuk predicting that females discriminate among males on the basis of secondary sexual characters in order to pass on genes for disease resistance that improve fitness in their offspring.
Publishing year
1996
Language
English
Pages
265-271
Publication/Series
Royal Society of London. Proceedings B. Biological Sciences
Volume
263
Issue
1368
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Royal Society Publishing
Topic
- Biological Sciences
Keywords
- branta-leucopsis
- barnacle goose
- sexual selection
- preferences
- mating
- phasianus-colchicus
- major histocompatibility complex
- evolution
- viability
- pheasant
- haplotypes
Status
Published
Project
- Avian MHC genes
Research group
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1471-2954