Females increase offspring heterozygosity and fitness through extra-pair matings.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_0A47F266E8AD
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Title
Females increase offspring heterozygosity and fitness through extra-pair matings.
Journal
Nature
Author(s)
Foerster K., Delhey K., Johnsen A., Lifjeld J.T., Kempenaers B.
ISSN
1476-4687 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0028-0836
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2003
Volume
425
Number
6959
Pages
714-717
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Females in a variety of species commonly mate with multiple males, and there is evidence that they benefit by producing offspring of higher genetic quality; however, the nature of these genetic benefits is debated. Enhanced offspring survival or quality can result from intrinsic effects of paternal genes---'good genes'--or from interactions between the maternal and paternal genomes--'compatible genes'. Evidence for the latter process is accumulating: matings between relatives lead to decreased reproductive success, and the individual level of inbreeding--measured as average heterozygosity--is a strong fitness predictor. Females should thus benefit from mating with genetically dissimilar males. In many birds, social monogamy restricts mate choice, but females may circumvent this by pursuing extra-pair copulations. Here we show that female blue tits, Parus caeruleus, increase the heterozygosity of their progeny through extra-pair matings. Females thereby produce offspring of higher reproductive value, because less inbred individuals have increased survival chances, a more elaborate male secondary sexual trait (crown colour) and higher reproductive success. The cost of inbreeding may therefore be an important factor driving the evolution of female extra-pair mating.
Keywords
Animals, Color, Copulation/physiology, Female, Heterozygote, Litter Size, Male, Reproduction/physiology, Sex Characteristics, Songbirds/anatomy & histology, Songbirds/genetics, Survival Rate
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
18/03/2008 10:34
Last modification date
20/08/2019 12:32
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