Data from: A quantitative review of MHC-based mating preference: the role of diversity and dissimilarity

Sexual selection hypotheses stipulate that the major histocompatibility complex genes (MHC) constitute a key molecular underpinning for mate choice in vertebrates. The last four decades saw growing empirical literature on the role of MHC diversity and dissimilarity in mate choice for a wide range of vertebrate animals, but with mixed support for its significance in natural populations. Using formal phylogenetic meta-analysis and meta-regression techniques, we quantitatively review the existing literature on MHC-dependent mating preferences in nonhuman vertebrates with a focus on the role of MHC diversity and dissimilarity. Overall, we found small, statistically nonsignificant, average effect sizes for both diversity- and dissimilarity-based mate choice (r = 0.113 and 0.064, respectively). Importantly, however, meta-regression models revealed statistically significant support regarding female choice for diversity, and choice for dissimilarity (regardless of choosy sex) only when dissimilarity is characterized across multiple loci. Little difference was found among vertebrate taxa; however, the lack of statistical power meant statistically significant effects were limited to some taxa. We found little sign of publication bias; thus, our results are likely to be robust. In light of our quantitative assessment, methodological improvements and fruitful future avenues of research are highlighted.

性选择假说提出，主要组织相容性复合体（major histocompatibility complex, MHC）基因是脊椎动物配偶选择的关键分子基础。近四十年来，针对各类脊椎动物配偶选择中MHC多样性与相异性作用的实证研究日益增多，但关于其在自然种群中的重要性，相关研究结论存在分歧。本研究采用规范的系统发育元分析与元回归技术，对非人类脊椎动物中依赖MHC的配偶选择偏好相关现有文献进行了定量综述，重点聚焦MHC多样性与相异性的作用。整体而言，基于多样性与基于相异性的配偶选择的平均效应量均较小，且统计学上不显著（相关系数r分别为0.113与0.064）。但值得注意的是，元回归模型显示，雌性对MHC多样性的选择，以及仅当相异性通过多个位点进行表征时的相异性选择（无论选择者性别如何），均得到了统计学上的显著支持。不同脊椎动物类群间的差异较小；但由于统计效力不足，统计学显著的效应仅局限于部分类群。本研究未发现明显的发表偏倚迹象，因此研究结果具备较强的稳健性。基于本次定量评估结果，本文着重强调了研究方法的改进方向与富有前景的未来研究路径。