Data from: Mate-guarding by male mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) is associated with female MHC genotype

Female choice for male major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genotype has
been widely tested, but the relationship between male mating strategies
and female MHC genotype has received far less attention. Moreover, few
studies of MHC-associated mate choice test for the fitness effects
underlying such choice. We examined mate-guarding by male mandrills, a
species with intense male–male competition and female offspring care. We
developed a statistical model based on 10 years of observations to
describe how the probability a female is mate-guarded varies across her
sexual cycle, among cycles and among females. We accounted for female
rank, parity, and maternal relatedness. We then tested whether the
occurrence of mate-guarding is influenced by 1) MHC dissimilarity, 2)
female MHC diversity, and 3) specific female MHC genotypes. Finally, we
tested for associations between MHC variables and the ratio of neutrophils
to lymphocytes in blood samples taken during routine captures. The
best-fit models included either MHC dissimilarity (males were more likely
to mate-guard more dissimilar females, and there was some evidence of
preference for intermediate MHC dissimilarity) or a specific MHC
supertype. Four of 11 supertypes investigated were influential and one had
a strong negative influence on mate-guarding. We found some evidence that
the MHC genotype that attracted the least mate-guarding was
disadvantageous in terms of immune function. However, we did not find
evidence that MHC diversity was related to immune function. These results
suggest that highly competitive males modify their mating behavior based
on female MHC genotype, and a possible fitness benefit to mate choice for
specific genotypes.