Evidence for size and sex-specific dispersal in a cooperatively breeding cichlid fish

African Great Lake cichlid populations are divided into thousands of genetic subpopulations. The low gene flow between these subpopulations is thought to result from high degrees of natal philopatry, heavy predation pressure, and a patchy distribution of preferred habitats. While predation pressure and habitat distribution are fairly straightforward to assess, data on dispersal distances and rates are scarce. In fishes, direct observations of dispersal events are unlikely, but dispersal can be studied using molecular markers. Using seven microsatellite loci, we examined dispersal in the cooperatively breeding cichlid fish, Neolamprologus pulcher. As this species is found in well-defined groups clustered into subpopulations, we could assess dispersal on a narrow (within subpopulation) and broad (between subpopulation) scale. While fish were generally more related to others in their own subpopulation than they were to fish from other subpopulations, large males diverged from this pattern. Large males were more related to other large males from different subpopulations than they were to large males from their own subpopulation, suggesting more frequent dispersal by large males. Across subpopulations, relatedness between large males was higher than the relatedness among large females; this pattern was not detected in small males and small females. Within a subpopulation, individuals appeared to be preferentially moving away from relatives, and movement was unrestricted by the physical distance between groups. Our results highlight the importance of examining multiple spatial scales when studying individual dispersal biases.     

Kin selection does not explain male aggregation at leks of 4 manakin species

In lek-mating systems, males aggregate at display arenas andfemales visit solely for the purpose of mating. This breedingsystem is characterized by high variance in male mating successwith one male often receiving most copulations. High reproductiveskew among males has led to question why males join leks whentheir chances of reproductive success are so low. Kin selectionhas been invoked as a mechanism to explain the evolution oflekking behavior, whereby nonreproducing but genetically relatedmales gain indirect inclusive-fitness benefits. Evidence forkin selection among lek-mating birds is, however, mixed. Here,we show that kin selection is unlikely to be an important explanationfor evolution of lekking behavior in manakins (Aves: Pipridae).We found that for 4 species chosen from several major cladeswithin Pipridae, males within leks were not significantly morerelated than expected from random assortment of males in thepopulation. This means that nonreproducing males do not gainindirect inclusive-fitness benefits by joining leks. This resultsuggests alternative mechanisms must be invoked to explain theevolution of lek-mating systems in manakins.     

Quantifying inbreeding avoidance through extra-pair reproduction

Extra-pair reproduction is widely hypothesized to allow females to avoid inbreeding with related socially paired males. Consequently, numerous field studies have tested the key predictions that extra-pair offspring are less inbred than females’ alternative within-pair offspring, and that the probability of extra-pair reproduction increases with a female's relatedness to her socially paired male. However, such studies rarely measure inbreeding or relatedness sufficiently precisely to detect subtle effects, or consider biases stemming from failure to observe inbred offspring that die during early development. Analyses of multigenerational song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) pedigree data showed that most females had opportunity to increase or decrease the coefficient of inbreeding of their offspring through extra-pair reproduction with neighboring males. In practice, observed extra-pair offspring had lower inbreeding coefficients than females’ within-pair offspring on average, while the probability of extra-pair reproduction increased substantially with the coefficient of kinship between a female and her socially paired male. However, simulations showed that such effects could simply reflect bias stemming from inbreeding depression in early offspring survival. The null hypothesis that extra-pair reproduction is random with respect to kinship therefore cannot be definitively rejected in song sparrows, and existing general evidence that females avoid inbreeding through extra-pair reproduction requires reevaluation given such biases.     

Sex‐biased dispersal,kin selection and the evolution of sexual conflict

There is growing interest in resolving the curious disconnect between the fields of kin selection and sexual selection. Rankin's (2011, J. Evol. Biol. 24 , 71–81) theoretical study of the impact of kin selection on the evolution of sexual conflict in viscous populations has been particularly valuable in stimulating empirical research in this area. An important goal of that study was to understand the impact of sex‐specific rates of dispersal upon the coevolution of male‐harm and female‐resistance behaviours. But the fitness functions derived in Rankin's study do not flow from his model's assumptions and, in particular, are not consistent with sex‐biased dispersal. Here, we develop new fitness functions that do logically flow from the model's assumptions, to determine the impact of sex‐specific patterns of dispersal on the evolution of sexual conflict. Although Rankin's study suggested that increasing male dispersal always promotes the evolution of male harm and that increasing female dispersal always inhibits the evolution of male harm, we find that the opposite can also be true, depending upon parameter values.     

The genetical theory of kin selection

Natural selection operates both directly, via the impact of a trait upon the individual's own fitness, and indirectly, via the impact of the trait upon the fitness of the individual's genetically related social partners. These effects are often framed in terms of Hamilton's rule, rb - c > 0, which provides the central result of social-evolution theory. However, a number of studies have questioned the generality of Hamilton's rule, suggesting that it requires restrictive assumptions. Here, we use Fisher's genetical paradigm to demonstrate the generality of Hamilton's rule and to clarify links between different studies. We show that confusion has arisen owing to researchers misidentifying model parameters with the b and c terms in Hamilton's rule, and misidentifying measures of genotypic similarity or genealogical relationship with the coefficient of genetic relatedness, r. More generally, we emphasize the need to distinguish between general kin-selection theory that forms the foundations of social evolution, and streamlined kin-selection methodology that is used to solve specific problems.     

The presence of a paternal grandmother lengthens interbirth interval following the birth of a granddaughter in Krummhörn (18th and 19th centuries)

Because only daughters inherit the paternal X-chromosome, an asymmetry in adaptive investment decisions has been suggested for certain patrilineal kin. Namely, paternal grandmothers (PGMs) may favor a granddaughter over a grandson, because (within the limits of paternity uncertainty) the former definitely carries one of their X-chromosomes, while the latter definitely does not. Here, we test the hypothesis that the PGMs' sex-specific favoritism influences reproductive scheduling. Using family-reconstitution data, we analyzed interbirth intervals (IBIs) in the historical population from the Krummhörn (Ostfriesland, Germany). In order to account for potentially timevarying effects on IBIs we applied (and combined) both the additive hazards regression of Aalen and the Cox proportional hazards model. We found that the presence of the PGM but not that of the maternal grandmother (MGM), correlates with the IBI following the birth of a grandchild as a function of the grandchild's sex. Specifically, in the presence of a PGM, the IBIs following the birth of a granddaughter are longer than in her absence. However, contrary to predictions from theoretical life history framework, model estimates for a PGM's effect on a mother's IBI did not significantly vary over time This study supports the hypothesis that PGM behavior differs according to her grandchild's sex. Further research should now explore the biological mechanism underlying this phenomenon.     

Prospects for inferring pairwise relationships with single nucleotide polymorphisms

An extraordinarily large number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are now available in humans as well as in other model organisms. Technological advancements may soon make it feasible to assay hundreds of SNPs in virtually any organism of interest. One potential application of SNPs is the determination of pairwise genetic relationships in populations without known pedigrees. Although microsatellites are currently the marker of choice for this purpose, the number of independently segregating microsatellite markers that can be feasibly assayed is limited. Thus, it can be difficult to distinguish reliably some classes of relationship (e.g. full-sibs from half-sibs) with microsatellite data alone. We assess, via Monte Carlo computer simulation, the potential for using a large panel of independently segregating SNPs to infer genetic relationships, following the analytical approach of Blouin et al. (1996). We have explored a 'best case scenario' in which 100 independently segregating SNPs are available. For discrimination among single-generation relationships or for the identification of parent-offspring pairs, it appears that such a panel of moderately polymorphic SNPs (minor allele frequency of 0.20) will provide discrimination power equivalent to only 16-20 independently segregating microsatellites. Although newly available analytical methods that can account for tight genetic linkage between markers will, in theory, allow improved estimation of relationships using thousands of SNPs in highly dense genomic scans, in practice such studies will only be feasible in a handful of model organisms. Given the comparable amount of effort required for the development of both types of markers, it seems that microsatellites will remain the marker of choice for relationship estimation in nonmodel organisms, at least for the foreseeable future.     

基于亲权鉴定的千岛湖社鼠家群遗传结构与亲缘关系特征研究

于2009年7月至2010年11月,对浙江千岛湖两个岛屿上的社鼠(Niviventer confucianus)种群进行标志重捕,并采用8个高多态性的微卫星位点,对两个岛屿的社鼠种群进行家群分析和亲权鉴定,探讨了社鼠家群的亲缘关系特征。结果显示,8个微卫星位点能可靠地对两个岛屿社鼠种群进行亲权鉴定,A岛已确定亲缘关系的71只社鼠分为12个家群,家群中的个体数最多达到19个,B岛已确定的49只社鼠个体共分为11个家群,家群中的个体数最多达到14个。家群内部成员之间的亲缘关系表现为配对繁殖的个体对间亲缘系数最小,揭示了社鼠倾向于选择亲缘关系较远的异性作为配偶。家群中雄性后代个体之间与雌性个体之间的亲缘关系相比,两岛表现情况相反,该结果暗示两岛屿上社鼠扩散行为可能有所不同。通过计算与同一雄性(或同一雌性)交配的个体间的亲缘系数,发现两个岛屿上的社鼠在与不同异性交配时也存在选择性,即避免选择亲缘关系较近的异性作为混交的对象。     

The value and meaning attached to genetic relatedness among Australian sperm donors

While in the context of western societies sperm is attributed with a wide range of meanings, in the context of assisted reproduction it has increasingly been treated as an alienable commodity. Yet despite attempts by medical professionals to encourage a disconnect between donors and their sperm, the latter continues in many instances to operate as a synecdoche for the former. This can be seen, for example, both in donor-conceived children's desire to know their donor and in donors' investments in the use of their sperm. This paper explores the latter example by providing a discourse analysis of the narratives of 30 Australian sperm donors, with a focus on how they accounted for the value and meaning of their sperm. Three broad themes are discussed: sperm as a marker of genetic legacy, responsibility for sperm as genetic material, and sperm as a “gift” to others. The implications of these understandings of sperm among donors are discussed in relation to outcomes for all parties involved in donor conception, and suggestions are made for recognizing the investments that donors may have in their sperm.     

Isolation and characterization of 17 microsatellite loci for the house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)

The house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) has emerged recently as a model species in studies of sexual selection, reproductive physiology, population genetics, and epizootic disease ecology. Here we describe 17 highly polymorphic microsatellite loci for this species. In a sample of 36 individuals, we observed an average of 16 alleles per locus and heterozygosity ranged from 0.61 to 0.97. One locus showed significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg proportions, but no significant gametic disequilibrium was observed among any of the loci. Amplification by polymerase chain reaction was optimized under similar parameters across loci, thereby facilitating multiplexing and rapid multilocus genotyping.