Article
A sex-chromosome inversion causes strong overdominance for sperm traits that affect siring success.
Nature ecology & evolution - 1 Aug 2017
Knief Ulrich, Forstmeier Wolfgang, Pei Yifan, Ihle Malika, Wang Daiping, Martin Katrin, Opatová Pavlína, Albrechtová Jana, Wittig Michael, Franke Andre, Albrecht Tomáš, Kempenaers Bart
Abstract excerpt
Male reproductive success depends on the competitive ability of sperm to fertilize the ova, which should lead to strong selection on sperm characteristics. This raises the question of how heritable variation in sperm traits is maintained. Here we show that in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) nearly half of the variance in sperm morphology is explained by an inversion on the Z chromosome with a 40% allele...
Read the complete abstract on PubMedTopics
Share this publication in a Topic to start or enrich a Post.