Is MHC polymorphism related to mating system?

So many of you know that this question has been (is) the focus of my dissertation research. (So don't scoop me/steal the idea) Basically I recognize this:


And that because polymorphism at MHC loci is costly, then optimal MHC polymorphsim should vary from species to species, depending on their risk of contracting a pathogen. While the focus has traditionally been on the environment- I focus on something else- behavior, i.e. mating behaviors.

So the basic prediction that follows is that more promiscuous species should have more polymorphism at MHC loci. I am working with Peromyscus sp. which is a nice system for testing these types of hypotheses as there is a lot of mating systems diversity- in fact all "classical mating systems" are represented- save for polyandry/polygynandry.

In the big push for submission of a NSF-DDIG, I have been putting together a multilocus genotype for animals representing the 2 extremes- genetic monogamy and extreme promiscuity. So what does it show:



The opposite pattern relative to the prediction... 1st thought... bummer.... 2nd thought- hey maybe interesting... These are very preliminary data and suffer from low sample size.power issues....

Hopefully tomorrow I can tell you why it's interesting....

See the next installment: HERE