Article
Females tend to prefer genetically similar mates in an island population of house sparrows.
BMC evolutionary biology - 12 Mar 2014
Bichet Coraline, Penn Dustin J, Moodley Yoshan, Dunoyer Luc, Cellier-Holzem Elise, Belvalette Marie, Grégoire Arnaud, Garnier Stéphane, Sorci Gabriele
Abstract excerpt
BACKGROUND: It is often proposed that females should select genetically dissimilar mates to maximize offspring genetic diversity and avoid inbreeding. Several recent studies have provided mixed evidence, however, and in some instances females seem to prefer genetically similar males. A preference for genetically similar mates can be adaptive if outbreeding depression is more harmful than inbreeding depression or...
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