Data from: Additive genetic variance and effects of inbreeding, sex and age on heterophil to lymphocyte ratio in song sparrows

Across all nine sampling periods combined, H:L ratio increased with individual f. However, there was a significant individual f by period interaction whereby H:L ratio increased with individual f in two of the nine sampling periods, hence indicating inbreeding depression. H:L ratio was higher (suggesting an increase in baseline stress level) in older individuals, did not differ between males and females and did not vary with parental f. 4.

A quantitative genetic ‘animal model’ estimated low additive genetic variance in individual H:L ratio. The estimated heritability was h2=0.04 and did not differ significantly from zero. 5. Overall, these results imply that the magnitude of inbreeding depression, as measured through H:L ratio, varies with environmental conditions.

In contrast, the low estimated heritability implies relatively low potential for H:L ratio to show an evolutionary response to selection, or hence to mediate the evolution of life-history trade-offs.

Usage notes

Phenotypic data Phenotypic data for the analyses of Heterophil to Lymphocyte ratios HL_dryad.txt Pedigree data Pedigree data for the animal model analyses of heterophil to lymphocyte ratio pedigree_dryad.txt Data repeatability Phenotypic data for the analyses of repeatability of Heterophil to Lymphocyte ratios repeatability_dryad.txt