Collaborative research: Molecular mechanisms of scent mediated self / non-self recognition in a pelagic seabird

个人气味会受到主要组织相容性复合体(MHC)基因的影响，MHC是一组对免疫功能至关重要的基因。这些气味影响哺乳动物、蜥蜴和鱼类的识别和偏好，但与MHC相关的气味是否会在鸟类中发挥类似的作用目前尚不清楚。管鼻海鸟(目：海燕形目：海燕和信天翁)是研究这种可能性的理想物种。这些鸟终生交配。它们的嗅觉也很灵敏，有些物种仅凭气味就能区分开。这一最新发现表明，个人气味可能在鸟类的社会行为中发挥作用，到目前为止，鸟类还没有认真考虑过这一点。为了进一步研究这种可能性，专门研究鸟类嗅觉的感官生态学家加布里埃尔·内维特教授与进化生物学家、鸟类MHC领域的专家斯科特·爱德华兹教授合作。他们将使用利奇的风暴海燕(Ocean Droma Leucorhoa)作为模型系统来研究这个问题。该项目的主要目标是：1)首次对MHC II类基因以及其他与嗅觉和免疫功能相关的基因进行多基因表征；2)研究MHC在个体气味识别中的作用；3)研究MHC是否参与了终生伴侣的选择。结果表明，鸟类可以探测到MHC气味，或者用它们来选择配偶，这将代表着生物学家通常看待鸟类配偶选择决定的范式转变。同样重要的是，许多海燕和信天翁物种正面临灭绝，了解推动配偶选择的因素将对濒危物种的综合管理计划做出宝贵贡献。最后，该项目将在本科生、研究生和博士后一级提供跨学科培训，特别是针对将担任这些职位的少数群体和妇女。

Personal odors can be influenced by genes of the major histocompatibility complex (Mhc), which is a cluster of genes essential for immune function. These odors impact recognition and preference in mammals, lizards and fish, but whether Mhc-associated odors could play a similar role in birds is currently not known. The tube-nosed seabirds (Order: Procellariiformes: petrels and albatrosses) are an ideal group for investigating this possibility. These birds mate for life. They also have a remarkable sense of smell, and some species can tell each other apart using only odors. This latest finding suggests that personal scent may play a role in social behaviors, which, until now, has not been seriously considered in birds. To investigate this possibility further, Professor Gabrielle Nevitt, a sensory ecologist specializing in bird olfaction, has teamed up with Professor Scott Edwards, an evolutionary biologist and expert in the field of Mhc in birds. They will investigate this problem using the Leach's storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) as a model system. The primary objectives of this project are: 1) To perform the first multigene characterization of Mhc class II genes, and other genes related to olfactory and immune function, in a procellariiform seabird; 2) To investigate the role of Mhc in individual scent recognition; and 3) To investigate whether Mhc is involved in life-long partner choice. Results showing that birds can either detect Mhc odors or use them to choose mates would represent a paradigm shift in how biologists typically view mate choice decisions in birds. Just as importantly, many species of petrels and albatrosses are facing extinction, and understanding the factors driving mate choice will make a valuable contribution to comprehensive management plans for endangered species. Finally, the project will provide interdisciplinary training at the undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral levels, particularly for minorities and women, who will be targeted for these positions.