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Abstract

In mice and man, females prefer males with a major
histocompatibility complex (MHC) genotype different
to their own. We tested whether this phenomenon
also occurs in the Swedish sand lizard (Lacerta
agilis). Females in a laboratory experiment preferred
to associate with odour samples obtained
from more distantly related males at the MHC class
1 loci. Data on free-ranging lizards suggest that
associations between males and females are nonrandom
with respect to MHC genotype. However,
male spatial distribution and mobility during the
mating season suggest that the non-random pairing
process in the wild may also be driven by corresponding
genetic benefits to males pairing with less
related females.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Olsson, M and Madsen, T and Nordby, J and Wapstra, E and Ujvari, B and Wittzell, H
Keywords:	major histocompatibility complex; mate choice; genetic complementarity; lizards
Journal or Publication Title:	Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B (Suppl.)
ISSN:	0962-8452
DOI / ID Number:	https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2003.0079
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