DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Genetic signatures of mate choice: Influences of MHC genes on behavior and fitness-associated traits in European starlings

论文研究：择偶的遗传特征：MHC 基因对欧洲椋鸟行为和健康相关性状的影响

• 批准号: 0508884
• 负责人: Sievert Rohwer
• 金额: $ 1.2万
• 依托单位: University of Washington
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2005
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2005-04-01 至 2007-11-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0508884&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DISSERTATION; RESEARCH; Genetic; signatures; mate

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes code for proteins that present pathogens to the immune system and therefore have a direct effect on how well an individual survives disease. Amazingly, these genes also influence mate choice in many vertebrates. In mammals and fish, the MHC alters body odor thereby allowing individuals to choose mates and recognize kin through the sense of smell. Individuals can optimize MHC genes in their offspring by choosing mates with 1) high MHC heterozygosity or diversity, 2) specific well-adapted MHC alleles, or 3) MHC genes that complement their own. Individuals with "good" MHC genes are more resistant to some diseases, but also may be more attractive. This is because MHC genes can influence, not only body odor, but also physical traits, such as antlers in deer, that are expressed to their fullest extent when an individual is healthy and in good body condition. These "condition-dependent traits" are often displayed and examined during mate choice decisions (imagine the peacock's tail). Combining fieldwork with molecular approaches, the proposed research investigates how MHC genes may influence condition-dependent traits and mating patterns in European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) and takes a truly integrative approach to understanding behavioral, physiological, and genetic components of mate choice in birds. Results from this research are expected to have impact on a broad range of work relating to behavioral and molecular ecology.Broader Impacts: European starlings were introduced to North America from Europe 150 years ago, and during this time, their numbers have dramatically increased. Studying how these birds choose mates and how their immune systems successfully adapt to new pathogens will lead to a deeper understanding of their biology that can be applied to methods for controlling their expansion. Parsing out the non-exclusive roles of MHC heterozygosity and specific alleles in disease susceptibility and resistance will provide insight into how avian populations, and vertebrates in general, deal with an increasing barrage of introduced pathogens as human impact increases across the globe. Because this research has applications to both behavioral and molecular ecology, this project piques the interest of a broad range of students. Two undergraduates have participated in field research for this project, and more will participate this field season. Students interested in genetics techniques will also have the opportunity to work closely on molecular aspects of this project. Because this research is conducted on dairy farms, where starlings are agricultural and economic pests, placing nest boxes around the outlying agricultural fields has had the surprising effect of reducing the numbers of starlings breeding in and around barns and has created a positive working relationship between the researchers and local farmers.

主要组织相容性复合体(MHC)基因编码的蛋白质将病原体呈现给免疫系统，因此直接影响个体在疾病中的生存状况。令人惊讶的是，这些基因也会影响许多脊椎动物的配偶选择。在哺乳动物和鱼类中，MHC会改变体味，从而允许个体通过嗅觉选择配偶和识别亲缘关系。个体可以通过选择1)高MHC杂合度或多样性，2)特定的适应良好的MHC等位基因，或3)补充自己的MHC基因的配偶来优化他们后代的MHC基因。MHC基因“好”的个体对某些疾病的抵抗力更强，但也可能更具吸引力。这是因为MHC基因不仅可以影响体味，还可以影响身体特征，比如鹿的鹿角，当一个人健康和身体状况良好时，这些特征会得到最大程度的表达。在做出择偶决定时(想象一下孔雀的尾巴)，这些“条件依赖性特征”经常被展示和检验。结合田野调查和分子方法，这项拟议的研究调查了MHC基因如何影响欧洲八哥的条件依赖特征和交配模式，并采取了一种真正综合的方法来理解鸟类交配选择的行为、生理和遗传成分。这项研究的结果预计将对与行为和分子生态学相关的广泛工作产生影响。广泛的影响：150年前，欧洲八哥从欧洲引入北美，在此期间，它们的数量急剧增加。研究这些鸟类如何选择配偶，以及它们的免疫系统如何成功适应新的病原体，将有助于更深入地了解它们的生物学，并可应用于控制它们的扩张的方法。剖析MHC杂合性和特定等位基因在疾病易感性和抵抗力中的非排他性作用，将有助于深入了解随着人类对全球影响的增加，鸟类种群和一般脊椎动物如何应对越来越多的引入病原体。由于这项研究同时适用于行为和分子生态学，这个项目激起了广泛的学生的兴趣。已经有两名本科生参加了这个项目的实地调研，还有更多的本科生将参加这个实地考察季。对遗传学技术感兴趣的学生也将有机会在这个项目的分子方面密切合作。由于这项研究是在奶牛养殖场进行的，那里的八哥是农业和经济上的害虫，在边远的农田周围放置巢箱，产生了令人惊讶的效果，减少了谷仓内和周围繁殖的八哥的数量，并在研究人员和当地农民之间建立了积极的工作关系。