Differential sperm performance in hybrids coincides with Y chromosome invasion across the house mouse hybrid zone

0374430 - ÚBO 2012 FR eng A - Abstract
Albrechtová, Jana - Albrecht, Tomáš - Baird, S. J. E. - Macholán, Miloš - Munclinger, P. - Rudolfsen, G. - Tucker, P. K. - Piálek, Jaroslav
Differential sperm performance in hybrids coincides with Y chromosome invasion across the house mouse hybrid zone.
ECM 2011. VIth EuropeanCongress of Mammalogy. Paris: Université P. et M. Curie, 2011 - (Denys, C.). s. 44
[European Congress of Mammalogy /7./. 19.07.2011-23.07.2011, Paris]
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60930519; CEZ:AV0Z50450515
Keywords : house mouse * hybrid zone
Subject RIV: EG - Zoology
http://www.alphavisa.com/ecm2011/pdf/ECM2011-Abstract_Book.pdf

The house mouse hybrid zone is thought to be maintained by selection against hybrids, and it has been suggested that invasion of a Y chromosome across the Czech/Bavarian region, in defiance of Haldane‘s rule, is an example of genetic conflict outweighing this selection. However, no unfit hybrid phenotypes and no mechanism for the suggested genetic conflict have been identified in nature. Here we assess phenotypes of the haploid phase of the mouse lifecycle. Sperm characteristics of wild caught males were measured in a field laboratory set up in the Czech/Bavarian region, and the hybrid index of each male was later calculated using 1401 diagnostic SNPs. While sperm velocity and sperm count did not differ between parental mouse subspecies, they were significantly reduced in their hybrids. A reduction of sperm velocity in the center of the hybrid zone was associated with shortened sperm heads. Hybrid males carrying the invading Y chromosome have both increased sperm count and velocity compared those carrying the alternative Y. Based on the observed phenotypes we suggest selective advantages in the haploid phase likely explain a large component of both the selection against hybrids that maintains the distinction between the mouse taxa, and the genetic conflict that has allowed a Y chromosome to cross the taxon barrier.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0207353