Density-dependent selection and the maintenance of colour polymorphism in barn owls.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_0E571D8444BE
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Density-dependent selection and the maintenance of colour polymorphism in barn owls.
Journal
Proceedings. Biological sciences
Author(s)
Kvalnes T., Sæther B.E., Engen S., Roulin A.
ISSN
1471-2954 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0962-8452
Publication state
Published
Issued date
08/06/2022
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
289
Number
1976
Pages
20220296
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
The capacity of natural selection to generate adaptive changes is (according to the fundamental theorem of natural selection) proportional to the additive genetic variance in fitness. In spite of its importance for development of new adaptations to a changing environment, processes affecting the magnitude of the genetic variance in fitness-related traits are poorly understood. Here, we show that the red-white colour polymorphism in female barn owls is subject to density-dependent selection at the phenotypic and genotypic level. The diallelic melanocortin-1 receptor gene explained a large amount of the phenotypic variance in reddish coloration in the females ([Formula: see text]). Red individuals (RR genotype) were selected for at low densities, while white individuals (WW genotype) were favoured at high densities and were less sensitive to changes in density. We show that this density-dependent selection favours white individuals and predicts fixation of the white allele in this population at longer time scales without immigration or other selective forces. Still, fluctuating population density will cause selection to fluctuate and periodically favour red individuals. These results suggest how balancing selection caused by fluctuations in population density can be a general mechanism affecting the level of additive genetic variance in natural populations.
Keywords
Animals, Color, Female, Genotype, Polymorphism, Genetic, Selection, Genetic, Strigiformes/genetics, Tyto alba, individual fitness, natural selection, population density, reproductive value
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
07/08/2023 17:29
Last modification date
28/10/2023 7:12
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