Testing for genetic trade-offs between early- and late-life reproduction in a wild red deer population

Daniel H. Nussey, Alastair J. Wilson, Alison Morris, Josephine Pemberton, Tim Clutton-Brock, Loeske E. B. Kruuk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)745-750
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences
Volume275
Issue number1635
Early online date23 Jan 2008
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Mar 2008

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