Role MHC genů při výběru partnera u hýla rudého ( Carpodacus erythrinus)

Mgr. Marta Promerová, Ph.D.

Master's thesis

The role of MHC genes in theM mate Choice in the Scarlet Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus

Abstract:

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a set of genes encoding transmembrane proteins which distinguish antigen peptides and present them to T-cells, thus playing a crucial role in the vertebrate immunity. The present study investigated the variability of the polymorphic exon 3 MHC Class I and its impact on female mate choice in a socially monogamous songbird with a high rate of extra-pair paternity, the Scarlet Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus). Two main hypotheses were tested, both being already proved for mammals and fish, but with insufficient information about birds: 1) good genes, e.g. genes that make individuals resistant to pathogens and hence, females prefer males bearing these genes or 2) complementary genes, where females choose dissimilar males according to their own genotype. Using the analysis of Single Stranded Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP) 28 different exon 3 sequences were found in more than one individual and another 54 in only one individual each. Individuals exhibited between three and eight alleles, i.e. at least four copies of the gene are amplified in the most heterozygous individuals of the South Bohemian Scarlet Rosefinch population. In this study, no evidence was found for females choosing males with certain alleles, but there was a hint of preference for males with intermediate numbers of alleles. Further, the theory that females should choose males dissimilar from them in the MHC did not prove right in this study, instead, they appeared to prefer males with mean levels of MHC-similarity.

Keywords

Major histocompatibility complex, mate choice, Carpodacus erythrinus

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 15. 5. 2007

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 20. 6. 2007
• Supervisor: doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Josef Bryja, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Science

Master programme / field:
Biology / Systematic Biology and Ecology