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许多雄性特征的信息。雌性可能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，她可能会表现出隐性的雌性选择，这被定义为雌性基于特定的偏好特征而偏向于某些雄性的受精成功。在某些情况下，雌性根据配偶的基因组成来选择配偶，以便为后代获得有利的基因。本研究将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；雌性应该选择MHC更多样化的雄性，因为她的后代将拥有更广泛的工具来对抗感染。使用行为和分子方法，本研究将测试隐性雌性选择，以及雌性孔雀鱼是否使用雄性MHC多样性作为配偶选择的基础。这项综合研究将为免疫学、生殖生理学、亲缘歧视和行为生态学等多个科学领域做出贡献。特别是，保护生物学领域将特别受益于这项研究，特别是因为它与其他物种的繁殖有关。由于许多濒危物种的生存依赖于成功的繁殖，因此了解受精后的繁殖过程对繁殖成功至关重要。最后，本研究还纳入了教育成分。目前已经有一名女大学生参与了该研究，除了高中生之外，还计划增加本科生。PI和co-PI将在2007年秋季教授这门课程时，根据提议的研究设计一个动物行为实验室，从而整合研究和教育。

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.