How mate preferences evolve in the first place has been a major conundrum for sexual selection. Some hypotheses explaining this assume fitness benefit derived from subsequent generations. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)‐based mate choice is a representative example of the mate choice that is associated with such trans‐generational mechanisms. To provide evidences for fitness benefit of MHC‐based mate choice, previous studies assessed the association between own MHC genotype and own fitness components. However, the association between MHC‐based mate choice in the parental generation and fitness components in the resultant offspring generation has only rarely been measured in wild populations. Focusing on the isolated population of the monogamous Ryukyu Scops Owl (Otus elegans interpositus) on Minami‐daito Island, Japan, we found evidence of MHC‐based mate choice. However, we found no evidence of MHC‐based mate choice increasing own reproductive success or offspring survival. This is a rare case study that directly examines the existence of the trans‐generational indirect benefit of MHC‐based mate choice for genetic compatibility from trans‐generational data in a wild bird population. By investigating the fitness benefits of mate choice, this study serves to facilitate our understanding of the evolution of MHC‐based mate choice.

中文翻译：

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在孤立的猫头鹰种群中评估基于主要组织相容性复合体的配偶选择的存在和益处

首先，配偶偏好如何演变一直是性选择的一个主要难题。解释这一点的一些假设假设了从后代中获得的健康益处。基于主要组织相容性复合体 (MHC) 的配偶选择是与此类跨代机制相关的配偶选择的典型例子。为了提供基于 MHC 的配偶选择对健康有益的证据，之前的研究评估了自己的 MHC 基因型与自身健康成分之间的关​​联。然而，在野生种群中很少测量到亲代中基于 MHC 的配偶选择与结果后代中的健康成分之间的关​​联。关注日本南大东岛一夫一妻制的琉球角鸮（Otus elegans interpositus）的孤立种群，我们发现了基于 MHC 的配偶选择的证据。然而，我们没有发现基于 MHC 的配偶选择增加自身繁殖成功率或后代存活率的证据。这是一个罕见的案例研究，它直接检验了基于 MHC 的配偶选择对野生鸟类跨代数据的遗传兼容性是否存在跨代间接益处。通过调查择偶对健康的益处，这项研究有助于我们理解基于 MHC 的择偶演变。这是一个罕见的案例研究，它直接检验了基于 MHC 的配偶选择对野生鸟类跨代数据的遗传兼容性是否存在跨代间接益处。通过调查择偶对健康的益处，本研究有助于我们理解基于 MHC 的择偶演变。这是一个罕见的案例研究，它直接检验了基于 MHC 的配偶选择对野生鸟类跨代数据的遗传兼容性是否存在跨代间接益处。通过调查择偶对健康的益处，这项研究有助于我们理解基于 MHC 的择偶演变。