Zelano, BethanneEdwards, Scott2009-03-182002Zelano, Bethanne and Scott V. Edwards. 2002. An Mhc component to kin recognition and mate choice in birds: Predictions, progress, and prospects. In Christine R. Boake and Allen J. Moore, ed., Behavior Genetics for the Next Decade: Beyond Heritability. Special Issue, American Naturalist 160(S6): S225-S237.0003-01471537-5323http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:2689350The major histocompatibility complex (<em>Mhc</em>) has been identified as a locus influencing disease resistance, mate choice, and kin recognition in mammals and fish. However, it is unclear whether the mechanisms by which<em> Mhc</em> genes influence behavior in mammals are applicable to other nonmammalian vertebrates such as birds. We review the biology of <em>Mhc</em> genes with particular reference to their relevance to avian mating and social systems. New genomics approaches recently have been applied to the <em>Mhc</em>s of chickens, quail, and several icons of avian behavioral ecology, including red-winged blackbirds (<em>Agelaius phoeniceus</em>) and house finches (<em>Carpodacus mexicanus</em>). The predominance of concerted evolution at avian <em>Mhc</em> loci makes such methods attractive for providing access to this complicated multigene family. Although some biological processes influenced by <em>Mhc</em> in mammals are physiologically implausible for birds, <em>Mhc</em> could influence cues that form well-known bases for mate choice in birds by influencing the health and vigor of individuals. The tight associations of <em>Mhc</em> variation and disease resistance in chickens raise hope that finding associations of <em>Mhc</em> genes, disease, and mate choice in natural populations of birds will be as fruitful as in mammalian systems.en-USgenome-enabled sciencekin selectioncooperationextrapair fertilizationsQTL10.1086/342897