Abstract
BackgroundEvidence of multiple genetic criteria of mate choice is accumulating in numerous taxa. In many species, females have been shown to pair with genetically dissimilar mates or with extra-pair partners that are more genetically compatible than their social mates, thereby increasing their offsprings' heterozygosity which often correlates with offspring fitness. While most studies have focused on genetically promiscuous species, few studies have addressed genetically monogamous species, in which mate choice tends to be mutual.ResultsHere, we used microsatellite markers to assess individual global heterozygosity and genetic similarity of pairs in a socially and genetically monogamous seabird, the black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla. We found that pairs were more genetically dissimilar than expected by chance. We also identified fitness costs of breeding with genetically similar partners: (i) genetic similarity of pairs was negatively correlated with the number of chicks hatched, and (ii) offspring heterozygosity was positively correlated with growth rate and survival.ConclusionThese findings provide evidence that breeders in a genetically monogamous species may avoid the fitness costs of reproducing with a genetically similar mate. In such species that lack the opportunity to obtain extra-pair fertilizations, mate choice may therefore be under high selective pressure.
Highlights
Evidence of multiple genetic criteria of mate choice is accumulating in numerous taxa
In such species that lack the opportunity to obtain extra-pair fertilizations, mate choice may be under high selective pressure
For chicks with genotyped parents, we found that Phmxy of the parents was closely related to all indices of offspring heterozygosity (82 chicks, p < 0.007), confirming that Phmxy might be a reliable estimate of the probability of a given pair of producing homozygous offspring
Summary
Evidence of multiple genetic criteria of mate choice is accumulating in numerous taxa. Females have been shown to pair with genetically dissimilar mates or with extra-pair partners that are more genetically compatible than their social mates, thereby increasing their offsprings' heterozygosity which often correlates with offspring fitness. Most studies have focused on morphological and behavioral traits [1,2,3,4]), there is rapidly growing evidence of multiple genetic criteria of mate choice (reviewed in [5,6]). Blomqvist et al [14] reported that in socially monogamous shorebirds, both sexes obtained extra-pair fertilizations when mates were genetically similar. In blue tits (Parus caeruleus), females acquired extra-pair fertilizations that enhanced the heterozygosity and fitness of their offspring [19]. Few studies have focused on the mating patterns in genetically monogamous species which lack extra-pair fertilizations to diminish the costs of pairing with a suboptimal mate
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