Publication details
The role of MHC in sexual selection in European bitterling (Rhodeus amarus)
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| Year of publication | 2008 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
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| Description | The European bitterling is a freshwater fish with an unusual spawning relationship with freshwater mussels. The aim of the present study was to investigate a potential role of MHC (major histocompatibility complex) in bitterling mate choice and reproductive success (measured as the total number of offspring produced over reproductive lifespan). The experimental study was performed in discrete experimental populations consisting of 3 males and 3 females each. The MHC IIB structure (DAB genes) of each individual male and female from experiment was analysed and related to its reproductive success. Further, following the prediction that MHC diversity is driven by parasite-mediated selection, condition indices and parasitological characteristics were calculated for all experimental fish to investigate a potential link between MHC variability and parasite diversity. A total of 16 Rham-DAB1 alleles was described from experimental fish, with six of them classified as common alleles. Results suggest possible association between MHC diversity and reproductive success, though fish body size was more important predictor of high reproductive success than MHC diversity. This study was funded by the Grant Agency of the Academy of Sciences of the CR, Project No. IAA600930608 and Research Project of the Masaryk University Brno MSM0021622416. |
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