Patterns of MHC‐dependent sexual selection in a free‐living population of sheep

Abstract

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes encode cell surface proteins that present pathogen-derived peptide to T cells to activate the adaptive immune response and are one of the most variable loci across the vertebrate genome. Although pathogen-mediated balancing selection is believed to be the major force shaping MHC diversity, sexual selection could also contribute to the maintenance of

Effect of MHC and inbreeding on disassortative reproduction: A data revisit, extension and inclusion of fertilization in sand lizards

“…Therefore, even if overall genetic relatedness can be mediated by MHC genotypes (Penn & Potts, 1999 ), they do not appear to be an exclusive means of inbreeding avoidance, highlighting the importance of considering the existence of other important, potentially species‐specific, polymorphic signals used for inbreeding avoidance. Other work more targeted towards sexual selection on MHC have shown significant pre‐copulatory sexual selection against certain male haplotypes in Soay sheep ( Ovis aries ), and post‐copulatory disassortative sexual selection and strong inbreeding avoidance (Huang et al, 2021 ). In gray mouse lemurs ( Microcebus murinus ), researchers failed to find pre‐copulatory MHC mate choice but identified a paternity advantage of fathers with more MHC ‘supertypes’ (Schwensow et al, 2008 ).…”

A Non-Invasive Millimetre-Wave Radar Sensor for Automated Behavioural Tracking in Precision Farming—Application to Sheep Husbandry

“…These quantitative approaches are particularly powerful to study inter-individual behavioural variability or personalities in animal populations [4]. In livestock, for instance, large-scale genetic selection programmes are based on the measurements of several hundreds (if not thousands) of farm animals [5]. Many behavioural tests have been developed to assess personality traits in these animals [6], with some applications in breeding programmes, for instance to discard the more aggressive individuals [7].…”

Detangling the mechanisms and timing of MHC‐dependent sexual selection using Soay sheep

“…The study by Huang et al (2021) in this issue of Molecular Ecology illustrates the complexity of identifying MHC-based sexual selection…”

“…MHC-based sexual selection, including mate choice and post-mating selection, has been intensively studied, but despite more than 40 years of investigation, our understanding is limited. We still know very little about which MHC-based mechanisms may be at play, their timing during the mating process (i.e., pre-or post-copulatory) or their importance relative to genomewide-based mating preferences such as inbreeding avoidance.Indeed, most studies are limited to questions that can be asked from a particular study system, with nonmodel populations producing the most evolutionarily relevant results but suffering from small sample sizes, patchy population data and incomplete MHC genotyping.The study by Huang et al (2021) in this issue of Molecular Ecology illustrates the complexity of identifying MHC-based sexual selection…”

“…Due to the notable amount of genetic, genomic and behavioural data amassed for an exceptional sample size, the study by Huang et al (2021) currently represents a gold standard for MHC-based sexual selection studies. Given that genomic data are becoming increasingly available for nonmodel studies, one step for improvement would be making use of the genomics windows approach that is common in human MHC mate choice studies.…”