Data from: Genome-wide association mapping in a wild avian population identifies a link between genetic and phenotypic variation in a life history trait

Understanding the genetic basis of traits involved in adaptation is a major challenge in evolutionary biology but comparatively little is known about the genomic basis of life history traits that forms part of fitness itself. Here we use genome-wide association mapping (GWAS) utilising a custom 50k SNP array in a natural population of collared flycatchers to examine the genetic basis of number of eggs produced, an important life history trait in many animal species. We found evidence for an association on chromosome 18 where one SNP significant at the genome-wide level explained 3.9 % of the phenotypic variance. We also detected two suggestive QTLs on chromosomes 9 and 26. Fitness differences among genotypes were generally weak and not significant, although there was some indication of a sex- by-genotype interaction for lifetime reproductive success at the suggestive QTL on chromosome 26. This implies that sexual antagonism may play a role in maintaining genetic variation at this QTL. Our findings provide candidate regions for a classic avian life history trait that will be useful for future studies examining the molecular and cellular function of, as well as evolutionary mechanisms operating at, these loci.