Multilocus heterozygosity and sexual selection in the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana

Abstract

A study to test for an association between multilocus heterozygosity and male sexual selection was conducted in an experimental population of the brine shrimp Artemia franclscana. A significant positive correlation between male mating success and heterozygosity was detected This is the first report of an association between male sexual selection and multilocus heterozygosity. The results add to the evidence suggesting that a correlation of this type applies to all components of total Darwinian fitness. The observed correlation is interpreted in the light of the major hypotheses proposed to explain such correlations.