Project information
The role of MHC in sexual selection - observational and experimental study in three model vertebrate species

Project Identification
IAA600930608
Project Period
1/2006 - 12/2008
Investor / Pogramme / Project type
Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
MU Faculty or unit
Faculty of Science
Keywords
major histocompatibility complex; immunogenetics; sexual selection; carotenoids; Mus; Carpodacus; Rhodeus; MHC Class II; complementary genes; good genes; mate choice
Cooperating Organization
Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the ASCR, v. v. i.

The project aims at evaluating the function of highly variable genes of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in sexual selection. Specifically, the project focus on: (1) the description of the MHC polymorphism levels in three selected model vertebrates; (2) testing the relationships between MHC genotypes and mate-choice; and (3) testing the predictions of the "good genes" and "complementary genes" models of sexual selection. A complex approach using methods of behavioural ecology, molecular population genetics, immunology, and immunogenetics will be used. A great advantage of this project is a possibility to compare the role of MHC in mate choice in three vertebrate species (mammal – Mus musculus musculus, bird – Carpodacus erythrinus, and fish – Rhodeus sericeus) differing in their social system, expression of ornamental traits and mechanism of MHC signalling.

Publications

Total number of publications: 2


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