No selection on immunological markers in response to a highly virulent pathogen in an Arctic breeding bird.

ABSTRACT: In natural populations, epidemics provide opportunities to look for intense natural selection on genes coding for life history and immune or other physiological traits. If the populations being considered are of management or conservation concern, then identifying the traits under selection (or 'markers') might provide insights into possible intervention strategies during epidemics. We assessed potential for selection on multiple immune and life history traits of Arctic breeding common eiders (Somateria mollissima) during annual avian cholera outbreaks (summers of 2006, 2007 & 2008). We measured prelaying body condition, immune traits, and subsequent reproductive investment (i.e., clutch size) and survival of female common eiders and whether they were infected with Pasteurella multocida, t

SUBMITTER: Legagneux P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4227857 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature