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Data from: Polyandry and the decrease of a selfish genetic element in a wild house mouse population

Cite this dataset

Manser, Andri; Lindholm, Anna K.; König, Barbara; Bagheri, Homayoun C. (2011). Data from: Polyandry and the decrease of a selfish genetic element in a wild house mouse population [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.9069

Abstract

Despite deleterious effects on individuals, the t haplotype is a selfish genetic element present in many house mouse populations. By distorting the transmission ratio, +/t males transmit the t haplotype to up to 90% of their offspring. However, t/t individuals perish in utero. Theoretical models based on these properties predict a much higher t frequency than observed, leading to the t paradox. Here, we use empirical field data and theoretical approaches to investigate whether polyandry is a female counterstrategy against the negative fitness consequences of such distorters. We found a significant decrease of the t frequency over a period of 5.5 years that cannot be explained by the effect of transmission ratio distortion and recessive lethals, despite significantly higher life expectancy of +/t females compared to +/+ females. We quantified life history data and homozygous and heterozygous fitness effects. Population subdivision and inbreeding were excluded as evolutionary force influencing the t system. The possible influence of polyandry on the t system was then investigated by applying a stochastic model to this situation. Simulations show that polyandry can explain the observed t dynamics, making it a biologically plausible explanation for low t frequencies in natural populations in general.

Usage notes

Location

Switzerland
Illnau