Record |
Author |
Strandh Maria, Westerdahl Helena, Pontarp Mikael, Canbäck Björn, Dubois Marie-Pierre, Miquel Christian, Taberlet Pierre, Bonadonna Francesco, |
Title |
Major histocompatibility complex class II compatibility, but not class I, predicts mate choice in a bird with highly developed olfaction
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Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2012 |
Publication |
ROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES |
Abbreviated Journal |
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Volume |
279 |
Issue |
1746 |
Pages |
4457-4463 |
Keywords |
454-pyrosequencing, genetic compatibility, major histocompatibility complex, MHC class I, MHC class II B, |
Abstract |
Mate choice for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) compatibility has been found in several taxa, although rarely in birds. MHC is a crucial component in adaptive immunity and by choosing an MHC-dissimilar partner, heterozygosity and potentially broad pathogen resistance is maximized in the offspring. The MHC genotype influences odour cues and preferences in mammals and fish and hence olfactory-based mate choice can occur. We tested whether blue petrels, Halobaena caerulea, choose partners based on MHC compatibility. This bird is long-lived, monogamous and can discriminate between individual odours using olfaction, which makes it exceptionally well suited for this analysis. We screened MHC class I and II B alleles in blue petrels using 454-pyrosequencing and quantified the phylogenetic, functional and allele-sharing similarity between individuals. Partners were functionally more dissimilar at the MHC class II B loci than expected from random mating (p = 0.033), whereas there was no such difference at the MHC class I loci. Phylogenetic and non-sequence-based MHC allele-sharing measures detected no MHC dissimilarity between partners for either MHC class I or II B. Our study provides evidence of mate choice for MHC compatibility in a bird with a high dependency on odour cues, suggesting that MHC odour-mediated mate choice occurs in birds. |
Programme |
354 |
Campaign |
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Address |
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Corporate Author |
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Thesis |
Bachelor's thesis |
Publisher |
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Place of Publication |
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Editor |
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Language |
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Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume ![sorted by Series Volume (numeric) field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
0962-8452 |
ISBN |
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Medium |
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Area |
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Expedition |
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Conference |
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Notes |
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Approved |
yes |
Call Number |
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Serial |
4300 |
Permanent link to this record |