Mate choice in sticklebacks reveals that immunogenes can drive ecological speciation
Authors: Andreou, D., Eizaguirre, C., Boehm, T. and Milinski, M.
Journal: Behavioral Ecology
Volume: 28
Issue: 4
Pages: 953-961
eISSN: 1465-7279
ISSN: 1045-2249
DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arx074
Abstract:Adaptation to ecologically contrasting niches can lead to the formation of new species. Theoretically, this process of ecological speciation can be driven by pleiotropic "magic traits"that genetically link natural and sexual selection. To qualify as a true magic trait, the pleiotropic function of a gene must be reflected in biologically relevant mechanisms underlying both local adaptation and mate choice. The immune genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) contribute to parasite resistance and also play a major role in sexual selection. Hence, the MHC may encode a candidate magic trait. Using diverging 3-spined stickleback populations from a connected lake-river habitat, we show with mate choice experiments in a flow channel that polymorphic MHC genes probably underlie assortative mating with respect to particular habitat-adapted ecotypes, potentially resulting in reproductive isolation. By manipulating olfactory cues in controlled experiments, we show that female sticklebacks employ MHC-dependent male olfactory signals to select mates with which they can achieve a habitat-specific MHC gene structure that optimally protects their offspring against local parasites. By using MHC-based olfactory signals, females thus select individuals of their own population as mates. Our results demonstrate how mate choice and parasite resistance may be functionally linked. These findings suggest that MHC genes are pleiotropic and encode a true magic trait of biologically significant effect.
https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/30172/
Source: Scopus
Mate choice in sticklebacks reveals that immunogenes can drive ecological speciation.
Authors: Andreou, D., Eizaguirre, C., Boehm, T. and Milinski, M.
Journal: Behav Ecol
Volume: 28
Issue: 4
Pages: 953-961
ISSN: 1045-2249
DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arx074
Abstract:Adaptation to ecologically contrasting niches can lead to the formation of new species. Theoretically, this process of ecological speciation can be driven by pleiotropic "magic traits" that genetically link natural and sexual selection. To qualify as a true magic trait, the pleiotropic function of a gene must be reflected in biologically relevant mechanisms underlying both local adaptation and mate choice. The immune genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) contribute to parasite resistance and also play a major role in sexual selection. Hence, the MHC may encode a candidate magic trait. Using diverging 3-spined stickleback populations from a connected lake-river habitat, we show with mate choice experiments in a flow channel that polymorphic MHC genes probably underlie assortative mating with respect to particular habitat-adapted ecotypes, potentially resulting in reproductive isolation. By manipulating olfactory cues in controlled experiments, we show that female sticklebacks employ MHC-dependent male olfactory signals to select mates with which they can achieve a habitat-specific MHC gene structure that optimally protects their offspring against local parasites. By using MHC-based olfactory signals, females thus select individuals of their own population as mates. Our results demonstrate how mate choice and parasite resistance may be functionally linked. These findings suggest that MHC genes are pleiotropic and encode a true magic trait of biologically significant effect.
https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/30172/
Source: PubMed
Mate choice in sticklebacks reveals that immunogenes can drive ecological speciation
Authors: Andreou, D., Eizaguirre, C., Boehm, T. and Milinski, M.
Journal: BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY
Volume: 28
Issue: 4
Pages: 953-961
eISSN: 1465-7279
ISSN: 1045-2249
DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arx074
https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/30172/
Source: Web of Science (Lite)
Mate choice in sticklebacks reveals that immunogenes can drive ecological speciation
Authors: Andreou, D., Eizaguirre, C., Boehm, T. and Milinski, M.
Journal: Behavioral Ecology
Volume: 28
Issue: 4
Pages: 953-961
DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arx074
Abstract:Adaptation to ecologically contrasting niches can lead to the formation of new species. Theoretically, this process of ecological speciation can be driven by pleiotropic “magic traits” that genetically link natural and sexual selection. To qualify as a true magic trait, the pleiotropic function of a gene must be reflected in biologically relevant mechanisms underlying both local adaptation and mate choice. The immune genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) contribute to parasite resistance and also play a major role in sexual selection. Hence, the MHC may encode a candidate magic trait. Using diverging 3-spined stickleback populations from a connected lake–river habitat, we show with mate choice experiments in a flow channel that polymorphic MHC genes probably underlie assortative mating with respect to particular habitat-adapted ecotypes, potentially resulting in reproductive isolation. By manipulating olfactory cues in controlled experiments, we show that female sticklebacks employ MHC-dependent male olfactory signals to select mates with which they can achieve a habitat-specific MHC gene structure that optimally protects their offspring against local parasites. By using MHC-based olfactory signals, females thus select individuals of their own population as mates. Our results demonstrate how mate choice and parasite resistance may be functionally linked. These findings suggest that MHC genes are pleiotropic and encode a true magic trait of biologically significant effect.
https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/30172/
Source: Manual
Mate choice in sticklebacks reveals that immunogenes can drive ecological speciation.
Authors: Andreou, D., Eizaguirre, C., Boehm, T. and Milinski, M.
Journal: Behavioral ecology : official journal of the International Society for Behavioral Ecology
Volume: 28
Issue: 4
Pages: 953-961
eISSN: 1465-7279
ISSN: 1045-2249
DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arx074
Abstract:Adaptation to ecologically contrasting niches can lead to the formation of new species. Theoretically, this process of ecological speciation can be driven by pleiotropic "magic traits" that genetically link natural and sexual selection. To qualify as a true magic trait, the pleiotropic function of a gene must be reflected in biologically relevant mechanisms underlying both local adaptation and mate choice. The immune genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) contribute to parasite resistance and also play a major role in sexual selection. Hence, the MHC may encode a candidate magic trait. Using diverging 3-spined stickleback populations from a connected lake-river habitat, we show with mate choice experiments in a flow channel that polymorphic MHC genes probably underlie assortative mating with respect to particular habitat-adapted ecotypes, potentially resulting in reproductive isolation. By manipulating olfactory cues in controlled experiments, we show that female sticklebacks employ MHC-dependent male olfactory signals to select mates with which they can achieve a habitat-specific MHC gene structure that optimally protects their offspring against local parasites. By using MHC-based olfactory signals, females thus select individuals of their own population as mates. Our results demonstrate how mate choice and parasite resistance may be functionally linked. These findings suggest that MHC genes are pleiotropic and encode a true magic trait of biologically significant effect.
https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/30172/
Source: Europe PubMed Central
Mate choice in sticklebacks reveals that immunogenes can drive ecological speciation
Authors: Andreou, D., Eizaguirre, C., Boehm, T. and Milinski, M.
Journal: Behavioral Ecology
Volume: 28
Issue: 4
Pages: 953-961
Abstract:Adaptation to ecologically contrasting niches can lead to the formation of new species. Theoretically, this process of ecological speciation can be driven by pleiotropic “magic traits” that genetically link natural and sexual selection. To qualify as a true magic trait, the pleiotropic function of a gene must be reflected in biologically relevant mechanisms underlying both local adaptation and mate choice. The immune genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) contribute to parasite resistance and also play a major role in sexual selection. Hence, the MHC may encode a candidate magic trait. Using diverging 3-spined stickleback populations from a connected lake–river habitat, we show with mate choice experiments in a flow channel that polymorphic MHC genes probably underlie assortative mating with respect to particular habitat-adapted ecotypes, potentially resulting in reproductive isolation. By manipulating olfactory cues in controlled experiments, we show that female sticklebacks employ MHC-dependent male olfactory signals to select mates with which they can achieve a habitat-specific MHC gene structure that optimally protects their offspring against local parasites. By using MHC-based olfactory signals, females thus select individuals of their own population as mates. Our results demonstrate how mate choice and parasite resistance may be functionally linked. These findings suggest that MHC genes are pleiotropic and encode a true magic trait of biologically significant effect.
https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/30172/
Source: BURO EPrints