title: Testing for genetic trade-offs between early- and late-life reproduction in a wild red deer population.
abstract: The antagonistic pleiotropy (AP) theory of ageing predicts genetically based trade-offs between investment in reproduction in early life and survival and performance in later life. Laboratory-based research has shown that such genetic trade-offs exist, but little is currently known about their prevalence in natural populations. We used random regression 'animal model' techniques to test the genetic basis of trade-offs between early-life fecundity (ELF) and maternal performance in late life in a wild population of red deer (Cervus elaphus) on the Isle of Rum, Scotland. Significant genetic variation for both ageing rates in a key maternal performance measure (offspring birth weight) and ELF was present in this population. We found some evidence for a negative genetic covariance between the rate of ageing in offspring birth weight and ELF, and also for a negative environmental covariance. Our results suggest rare support for the AP theory of ageing from a wild population.
authors.affiliation: Large Animal Research Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK. dan.nussey@ed.ac.uk
authors.forename: Daniel H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Nussey
authors.forename: Alastair J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Josephine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pemberton
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Clutton-Brock
authors.forename: Loeske E B
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Kruuk
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001835:Body Weight; D003670:Deer / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D008957:Models, Genetic; D012044:Regression Analysis