An Mhc Component to Kin Recognition and Mate Choice in Birds: Predictions, Progress, and Prospects

Abstract

The major histocompatibility complex (Mhc) has been identified as a locus influencing disease resistance, mate choice, and kin recognition in mammals and fish. However, it is unclear whether the mechanisms by which Mhc genes influence behavior in mammals are applicable to other nonmammalian vertebrates such as birds. We review the biology of Mhc genes with particular reference to their relevance to avian mating and social systems. New genomics approaches recently have been applied to the Mhcs of chickens, quail, and several icons of avian behavioral ecology, including red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) and house finches (Carpodacus mexicanus). The predominance of concerted evolution at avian Mhc loci makes such methods attractive for providing access to this complicated multigene family. Although some biological processes influenced by Mhc in mammals are physiologically implausible for birds, Mhc could influence cues that form well-known bases for mate choice in birds by influencing the health and vigor of individuals. The tight associations of Mhc variation and disease resistance in chickens raise hope that finding associations of Mhc genes, disease, and mate choice in natural populations of birds will be as fruitful as in mammalian systems.

Sensory ecology on the high seas: the odor world of the procellariiform seabirds

“…Together, these results have led us to wonder whether odors may also play a role in mate choice (Zelano and Edwards, 2002). The potential that scent-based cues contribute to mate choice decisions has been typically overlooked in birds [for exceptions, see Douglas (Douglas, 2008); Hagelin (Hagelin, 2004) and Hagelin and Jones (Hagelin and Jones, 2007)] but kin recognition is mediated by scent in a wide range of vertebrates, including humans (Wedekind et al, 1995), mice (Yamazaki et al, 1976;Yamazaki et al, 1979), fish (Reusch et al, 2001) and lizards (Olsson et al, 2003).…”

Phylogenomic Approach to the Evolutionary Dynamics of Gene Duplication in Birds

“…These olfactory receptor genes, related to two orthologs in human (OR5U1 and OR5BF1 ), appear to have expanded within birds relatively recently to constitute the majority of the over 200 olfactory receptor genes in the chicken genome. The expansions of these genes could conceivably be part of the genetic mechanism linking the immune and olfactory systems with mate choice, kin recognition, and social interactions in birds (Zelano and Edwards, 2002). Other gene expansions were probably also important for key innovations in birds, such as expansions in the keratin gene family, which are the proteinaceous building blocks of feathers and therefore vital for thermoregulation, sexual display, and flight.…”

The evolution of MHC diversity in house mice

“…It has been suggested that MHC-dependent mating preferences in mice 'could not be much more than a quirk of nature without general significance' (Klein et al, 1993). However, several recent studies have found evidence for MHC-dependent mating preferences in other taxa, including fish, reptiles, and even birds (Zelano and Edwards, 2002;Bernatchez and Landry, 2003;Milinski, 2006;Havlicek and Roberts, 2009). The most interesting implication of these studies is that they provide a potential example of how mating preferences can generate selection and evolution of genes that control immune recognition of pathogens and parasites.…”