Dissertation Research: The Role of the MHC in Pre- and Post-Copulatory Mate Choice by Female Guppies (Poecilia reticulata)

雌性动物在选择配偶时依赖于关于许多雄性特征的信息。 雌性可以在交配前或交配后做出择偶决定。 如果一个雌性与多个雄性交配，她可能会表现出神秘的雌性选择，这被定义为雌性基于特定的偏好特征而将某些雄性的受精成功率偏向于其他雄性的能力。 在某些情况下，雌性会根据他的基因组成来选择配偶，以便为后代获得有利的基因。 本研究旨在探讨主要组织相容性复合体（MHC）在雌性孔雀鱼（Poecilia reticulata）择偶决策中的作用。 MHC是一组与免疫有关的基因;女性应该选择具有更多样化MHC的男性，因为她的后代将配备更广泛的工具来对抗感染。 使用行为和分子的方法，这项研究将测试神秘的女性选择，以及女性孔雀鱼是否使用男性的MHC多样性作为择偶的基础。 这项综合研究将有助于多个科学领域，包括免疫学，生殖生理学，亲属歧视和行为生态学。 特别是，保护生物学领域将特别受益于这项研究，特别是因为它涉及到其他物种的繁殖。 由于许多濒危物种的生存取决于成功的繁殖，受精后的生殖过程的知识将是至关重要的生殖成功。 最后，这项研究还包括教育部分。 一名女大学生已经参加了这项研究，目前正在计划吸收更多的大学生和高中生参加。 PI和co-PI将在2007年秋季PI教授课程时，通过设计一个基于拟议研究的动物行为实验室来整合研究和教育。

Female animals rely on information regarding numerous male traits when choosing a mate. Females may make mate choice decisions prior to copulation, or following copulation. If a female mates with multiple males, she may exhibit cryptic female choice, which is defined as the ability of a female to bias the fertilization success of certain males over others based on particular preferred traits. In some cases, females choose a mate based on his genetic make-up in order to acquire favorable genes for their offspring. This study will investigate the role of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in mate choice decisions by female guppies (Poecilia reticulata). The MHC is a set of genes involved in immunity; a female should choose a male with a more diverse MHC because her offspring will be equipped with a broader spectrum of tools with which to combat infection. Using both a behavioral and molecular approach, this study will test for cryptic female choice and whether female guppies use MHC diversity in males as a basis for mate choice. This integrative study will contribute to multiple scientific fields, including immunology, reproductive physiology, kin discrimination and behavioral ecology. In particular, the field of conservation biology will especially benefit from this study, especially as it relates to reproduction in other species. As survival for many endangered species depends on successful breeding, knowledge of reproductive processes following fertilization will be critical to engendering reproductive success. Finally, this study also incorporates an educational component. One female undergraduate student has already participated in the research, and plans are underway to incorporate additional undergraduates, as well as high school students. The PI and co-PI will integrate research and education by designing an Animal Behavior laboratory based on the proposed research when the PI teaches the course in fall 2007.