The best smellers make the best choosers: mate choice is affected by female chemosensory receptor gene diversity in a mammal

摘要: The products of the genes major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are known to be drivers pathogen resistance and sexual selection enhancing offspring genetic diversity. MHC further influences individual odour types social communication. However, little is about receptors their volatile ligands that involved in this type chemical Here, we have investigated chemosensory receptor ultimately enable females assess male through cues. As a model, used an invasive population North American raccoons ( Procyon lotor) Germany. We effect two groups genes-trace amine-associated (TAARs) olfactory (ORs)-on MHC-dependent mate choice. Females with more alleles TAAR or OR loci were likely choose diverse MHC. additionally found class I stronger on choice than recently reported for II genes, probably because immunological relevance viral resistance. Our study among first show link between behaviour genes. These results contribute understanding genetics, olfaction associated life-history decisions.