Pubblicazione scientifica

Mate choice in sticklebacks reveals that immunogenes can drive ecological speciation

FILONE TECNOLOGICO	TEMA
produzione e cattura

RIASSUNTO

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.

DATA

Data di pubblicazione: 01/06/2017

AUTORI

ANDREOU DEMETRA
EIZAGUIRRE CHRISTOPHE
BOEHM THOMAS
MILINSKI MANFRED

ENTE DI AFFERENZA

MAX PLANCK INST EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY DEPT EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY AUGUST
DEPT LIFE & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE FACULTY OF SCIENCE & TECH TALBOT CAMPUS POOLE BH12 5BB UK
GEOMAR HELMHOLTZ CTR OCEAN RSCH DEPT EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY OF MARINE FISHES D 24105 KIEL GERMANY
PRESENT ADDRESS SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL & CHEM SCIENCES QUEEN MARY UNIV LONDON MILE
MAX PLANCK INST IMMUNOBIOLOGY & EPIGENETICS DEPT DEV IMMUNOLOGY

RIVISTA

Behavioral Ecology, 28(4), 953-961

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