Projects per year
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 language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 745-750 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences |
Volume | 275 |
Issue number | 1635 |
Early online date | 23 Jan 2008 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 22 Mar 2008 |
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Testing for genetic trade-offs between early- and late-life reproduction in a wild red deer population'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
-
Testing the evolutionary theory of senescence in wild vertebrate and historical human populations
1/09/07 → 31/08/10
Project: Research