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The role of relatedness in mate choice by an arboreal marsupial in the presence of fine-scale genetic structure

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Abstract

Where dispersal distances are restricted or generations overlap, kin may remain spatially clustered, leading to positive spatial genetic structure and the potential for inbreeding. In such circumstances, post-dispersal behavioral mechanisms may be required if individuals are to avoid mating with kin. Here, we conducted an empirical investigation of mate choice in the presence of fine-scale genetic structure. We assessed the potential for mating among relatives using genetic spatial autocorrelation analysis among adult mountain brushtail possums (Trichosurus cunninghami). There was significant positive spatial genetic structure among opposite-sexed adults (on a scale of 200 m), suggesting that kin remained spatially clustered after dispersal. Despite this, no genetic evidence of inbreeding was found. We assessed whether females may potentially avoid inbreeding: (1) by seeking distant mates and/or (2) by the active avoidance of kin in mate choice. Individuals did not choose distant mates, as 97 % of pairs that mated were separated by <200 m. We identified two distinct patterns of mate choice within the one population. Approximately half of the females sampled were socially monogamous (pair-bonded), and there was no evidence that these individuals chose mates on the basis of genetic dissimilarity. By contrast, the remaining (non-pair-bonded) females were more likely to select genetically dissimilar mates. This dual mate choice pattern demonstrates that the role of genetic relatedness in mate choice can be dependent on social context and dispersal patterns.

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Acknowledgments

Christine Hayes completed the mitochondrial haplotyping. Richard Blyton, Michelle Johnson, Mark Boorman, Guy Leech, Stephanie Bland, Amelia Coman, Mrinalini Pratap, Lachlan McBurney, and David Blair provided assistance with fieldwork. Funding was provided by the Hermon Slade Foundation (HSF 08–4) and the Australian Research Council (DP 0984876). The comments of three anonymous reviewers contributed extensively to the improvements in the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia

    Michaela D. J. Blyton, Robyn E. Shaw & Rod Peakall

  2. The Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia

    Michaela D. J. Blyton, Robyn E. Shaw, David B. Lindenmayer & Sam C. Banks

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  1. Michaela D. J. Blyton
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  2. Robyn E. Shaw
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  3. Rod Peakall
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Correspondence to Michaela D. J. Blyton.

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This study complied with the current laws of Australia, where this study was performed. The work was conducted under ANU Animal Ethics approval B.EEG.01.10.

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Communicated by A. I. Schulte-Hostedde

Significance statement

Dispersal and mate choice are important behaviors that are closely linked. Sex-biased dispersal is thought to reduce inbreeding risk by separating relatives of the opposite sex. We used spatial genetic analyses in a population of mountain brushtail possums to show that dispersal was insufficient to negate the risk of mating among neighboring relatives. However, population genetic analyses showed the population was not inbred, suggesting kin avoidance in mate choice. We identified a dual mate choice pattern, where possums that were not socially pair-bonded apparently chose mates on the basis of relatedness. By contrast, pair-bonded possums neither favored nor avoided kin as mates. This demonstrates the importance of considering both the post-dispersal arrangement of kin and social context when investigating mating patterns in relation to kinship. Our study design provides a valuable approach for evaluating whether and how a species avoids inbreeding.

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Blyton, M.D.J., Shaw, R.E., Peakall, R. et al. The role of relatedness in mate choice by an arboreal marsupial in the presence of fine-scale genetic structure. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 70, 313–321 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-015-2049-z

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