Recent evidence from bluethroats (Luscinia s. svecica) suggests that optimal (intermediate) levels of MHC variability in offspring is achieved through extra-pair mate choice. One possible mechanism for obtaining a MHC-compatible mate is through odour signals. This depends on the existence of a link between MHC genes and the body odour of individual birds and this project will investigate whether odour-producing bacteria in the preen gland and/or on the feathers may constitute this link. Furthermore, the fitness consequences of having intermediate MHC variability will be investigated by screening for blood parasites and obtaining estimates of individual reproductive success. The main study species is the ground-nesting bluethroat, but similar questions will also be addressed in the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus). The latter is a nest-box breeding species, which removes the need for nest searching and facilitates obtaining better estimates of reproductive success.
There are several possible master projects connected to this research program:
Bluethroat
Project 1 (field and lab): MHC and the feather microbiome in bluethroats. The field work will consist of capturing adults in the fertile period (early June) and collecting feathers from different parts of the body, as well as preen gland oil. The student is also expected to participate in the field work for project 2. Lab work will involve analysing feather and preen oil microbiome, using 16S rRNA high-throughput amplicon sequencing. These data will allow testing for sex differences and similarities within pairs in microbiome diversity, as well as its relationship with MHC-variability.
Field work: ?vre Heimdalen field station, ?ystre Slidre, Innlandet, May-June 2021. Lab work: NHM DNA lab
Supervisors: Arild Johnsen and Erica Leder