The highly polymorphic genes within the major histocompatibility complex(MHC)not only play a major role in immunity resistance,but also seem to provide hints for mate choice in some animal populations.In the pres...The highly polymorphic genes within the major histocompatibility complex(MHC)not only play a major role in immunity resistance,but also seem to provide hints for mate choice in some animal populations.In the present study we investigated MHC-related mate choice in a small natural population(group size 40-55 individuals)of a polygynous primate,the Sichuan snub-nosed monkey(Rhinopithecus roxellana).We found that there was no evidence either for MHC-disassortative mating,or for females to mate with males based on MHC heterozygosity or specific alleles.Nevertheless,of the 11 alleles identified,we found that the frequencies of 2 alleles,Rhro-DRB2(P<0.01)and Rhro-DRB5(P<0.05)were higher in offspring than in their parents.These findings suggest that MHC-DRB in this population of R.roxellana is unlikely to be associated with mating preferences.Limited female opportunities for mate choice are likely due,in part,to the harem breeding structure present in R.roxellana,and the relatively small number of resident adult males in our study band(N=4-6).In addition,we suggest that differences in the frequency of particular alleles across generations may be linked to parasite resistance in a fluctuating environment;however,confirmation of this finding requires further study.展开更多
Most studies that have examined mercury （Hg） contamination of fish have focused on game species feeding near the top of the food web, while studies that examine forage fish that feed near the base of the food web ar...Most studies that have examined mercury （Hg） contamination of fish have focused on game species feeding near the top of the food web, while studies that examine forage fish that feed near the base of the food web are rare. We conducted a survey of Hg contamination in three species of forage fish, brook silverside （Labidesthes sicculus）, threadfin shad （Dorosoma petenense） and gizzard shad （Dorosoma cepedianum）, from Caddo Lake, Texas, USA and found species-specific differences in Hg concentrations. We examined total length, age, trophic position （determined using δ15N）, and growth rate of forage fish as factors that could have influenced within-and between-species differences in Hg concentration. Total length and age were the best predictors of within-species differences in Hg concentration. Between-species differences in Hg concentrations were most strongly influenced by trophic position.展开更多
基金This project was supported by the Project of Public Benefit(No.201104073)the Natural Science Foundation of China(No.30970427,31130061)the National Key Technology R&D Program of China(2013BAD03B02).
文摘The highly polymorphic genes within the major histocompatibility complex(MHC)not only play a major role in immunity resistance,but also seem to provide hints for mate choice in some animal populations.In the present study we investigated MHC-related mate choice in a small natural population(group size 40-55 individuals)of a polygynous primate,the Sichuan snub-nosed monkey(Rhinopithecus roxellana).We found that there was no evidence either for MHC-disassortative mating,or for females to mate with males based on MHC heterozygosity or specific alleles.Nevertheless,of the 11 alleles identified,we found that the frequencies of 2 alleles,Rhro-DRB2(P<0.01)and Rhro-DRB5(P<0.05)were higher in offspring than in their parents.These findings suggest that MHC-DRB in this population of R.roxellana is unlikely to be associated with mating preferences.Limited female opportunities for mate choice are likely due,in part,to the harem breeding structure present in R.roxellana,and the relatively small number of resident adult males in our study band(N=4-6).In addition,we suggest that differences in the frequency of particular alleles across generations may be linked to parasite resistance in a fluctuating environment;however,confirmation of this finding requires further study.
文摘Most studies that have examined mercury （Hg） contamination of fish have focused on game species feeding near the top of the food web, while studies that examine forage fish that feed near the base of the food web are rare. We conducted a survey of Hg contamination in three species of forage fish, brook silverside （Labidesthes sicculus）, threadfin shad （Dorosoma petenense） and gizzard shad （Dorosoma cepedianum）, from Caddo Lake, Texas, USA and found species-specific differences in Hg concentrations. We examined total length, age, trophic position （determined using δ15N）, and growth rate of forage fish as factors that could have influenced within-and between-species differences in Hg concentration. Total length and age were the best predictors of within-species differences in Hg concentration. Between-species differences in Hg concentrations were most strongly influenced by trophic position.
