title: Preen secretions encode information on MHC similarity in certain sex-dyads in a monogamous seabird.
abstract: Animals are known to select mates to maximize the genetic diversity of their offspring in order to achieve immunity against a broader range of pathogens. Although several bird species preferentially mate with partners that are dissimilar at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), it remains unknown whether they can use olfactory cues to assess MHC similarity with potential partners. Here we combined gas chromatography data with genetic similarity indices based on MHC to test whether similarity in preen secretion chemicals correlated with MHC relatedness in the black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), a species that preferentially mates with genetically dissimilar partners. We found that similarity in preen secretion chemicals was positively correlated with MHC relatedness in male-male and male-female dyads. This study provides the first evidence that preen secretion chemicals can encode information on MHC relatedness and suggests that odor-based mechanisms of MHC-related mate choice may occur in birds.
authors.affiliation: 1] CNRS, UPS, ENFA; Laboratoire Évolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB), UMR5174, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France [2] Université de Toulouse, EDB, UMR5174, 31062 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leclaire
authors.affiliation: 1] Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstrasse 1a, 1160 Vienna, Austria [2] Applied Ecology Research Group and Institute for Sustainability and Innovation, College of Engineering and Science, Victoria University - Footscray Park Campus, PO Box 14428, Melbourne MC, VIC, Australia 8001.
authors.forename: Wouter F D
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: van Dongen
authors.affiliation: 1] CNRS, UPS, ENFA; Laboratoire Évolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB), UMR5174, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France [2] Université de Toulouse, EDB, UMR5174, 31062 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Steeve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Voccia
authors.affiliation: 1] CNRS, UPS, ENFA; Laboratoire Évolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB), UMR5174, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France [2] Université de Toulouse, EDB, UMR5174, 31062 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Merkling
authors.affiliation: 1] CNRS, UPS, ENFA; Laboratoire Évolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB), UMR5174, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France [2] Université de Toulouse, EDB, UMR5174, 31062 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ducamp
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99508, USA.
authors.forename: Scott A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Hatch
authors.affiliation: 1] CNRS, UPS, ENFA; Laboratoire Évolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB), UMR5174, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France [2] Université de Toulouse, EDB, UMR5174, 31062 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Pierrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blanchard
authors.affiliation: 1] CNRS, UPS, ENFA; Laboratoire Évolution et Diversité Biologique (EDB), UMR5174, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France [2] Université de Toulouse, EDB, UMR5174, 31062 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Danchin
authors.affiliation: Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstrasse 1a, 1160 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Richard H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Wagner
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D030161:Avian Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D046091:Charadriiformes / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006120:Grooming; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D052586:Mating Preference, Animal; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009812:Odorants; D012543:Scent Glands / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D030161:Avian Proteins; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens