雌性秦岭川金丝猴配偶选择偏好的研究

配偶选择指动物通过评估异性的繁殖特征，选择最优配偶，共同传递基因，提高适合度的过程，是个体生活史中的关键环节；个体间围绕于此展开的繁殖竞争，也是物种在漫长的进化中获得新属性的主要动力之一。川金丝猴的社群，以类似家庭的一雄多雌社会单元为基础，雄性吸引异性组建后宫，并获得繁殖机会。在此过程中，雌性拥有选择配偶的主导权，但其配偶关系确立的具体行为学机制，基因传递及其影响因素仍不甚清楚。本项目以秦岭川金丝猴为研究对象，在长期行为学观察和个体识别的基础上，通过明确雌雄个体在确定配偶关系中的行为策略；结合亲子鉴定和MHC基因分型，分析亲缘关系以及MHC基因对雌性配偶选择倾向的影响，阐明雌性川金丝猴在配偶选择过程中的择偶机制，揭示雌性选择好基因配偶对维持种群遗传多样性的贡献，促进灵长类动物社会行为学相关理论的发展，为更好的保育川金丝猴这一濒危物种提供科学的指导。

Mate choice, often known as intersexual selection, is a behavioral process in which selection is dependent on the attractiveness of one or more phenotypic traits in one sex to individuals of the opposite sex. Mate choice is an important factor in the life history of individuals, and is an important research topic in behavioral ecology. In mammals, high costs of reproduction makes females the more choosy sex. The social structure of the golden snub-nosed monkey is a multi-level society centred on a large breeding band that is comprised of multiple one-male units. Males can obtain mates by attracting females rather than by competing with other males. In this process, the female has many opportunities to choose preferred mates. However, the overall significance of proactive female choice, and the criteria by which females choose males, remain unclear in this species. This project will use established methods based on individual recognization and long-term behavior observation, to define the behavior strategy of individuals using in determining the male-female relationship. We will then measure the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genotype of each individual and the relatedness coefficient between males-females in already determined relationships. Furthermore, by integrating data on MHC genotype, relatedness and male-female relationships, to reveal the relationship between MHC genotype, relatedness coefficient and female mate choice behavior; then investigate the effects of MHC-based mate choice by females on maintaining genetic diversity in this species. The results will further our understanding of female mate choice in golden snub-nosed monkeys and other polygynous mammals, and will add to the biological knowledge of this endangered species thus helping promote its conservation.