Testing for Genetic Trade-offs Between Early- and Late-life Reproduction in a Wild Red Deer Population

Overview

Journal Proc Biol Sci

Specialty Biology

Date 2008 Jan 24

PMID 18211877

Citations 29

Authors

Daniel H Nussey

Alastair J Wilson

Alison Morris

Josephine Pemberton

Tim Clutton-Brock

Loeske E B Kruuk

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The antagonistic pleiotropy (AP) theory of ageing predicts genetically based trade-offs between investment in reproduction in early life and survival and performance in later life. Laboratory-based research has shown that such genetic trade-offs exist, but little is currently known about their prevalence in natural populations. We used random regression 'animal model' techniques to test the genetic basis of trade-offs between early-life fecundity (ELF) and maternal performance in late life in a wild population of red deer (Cervus elaphus) on the Isle of Rum, Scotland. Significant genetic variation for both ageing rates in a key maternal performance measure (offspring birth weight) and ELF was present in this population. We found some evidence for a negative genetic covariance between the rate of ageing in offspring birth weight and ELF, and also for a negative environmental covariance. Our results suggest rare support for the AP theory of ageing from a wild population.

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