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Craig C. Roberts
University of Liverpool, UK
Title
Human mate preferences and the MHC
Abstract
Recent work indicates that MHC genes play a role in disassortative
human olfactory preferences for potential partners, as they do in mice and
other species. I review this interesting research area and present new
findings that extend our understanding of these preferences, notably the
influence of hormonal contraception and reproductive status on these
preferences. In addition, I investigate whether the influence of the MHC on
partner choice extends into the visual domain, by examining MHC-correlated
facial preferences. My work suggests effects of both MHC heterozygosity
and similarity in human mate preference expression.
Degrees/ Positions
EDUCATION
1990-94
PhD, Animal Behaviour, University
College London.
1987-90
First Class BSc (Hons.)
in Applied Zoology, University of
Leeds.
CAREER/POSTS HELD
2003-present. PDRA (also Co-Applicant), University of Newcastle.
Investigating individuality of human odour. Funded by U.S. DARPA.
2000-03 PDRA,
University of Newcastle. Investigating effects of
oral
contraception on MHC-based odour preferences. Funded by Wellcome
Trust.
1997-2000 PDRA,
Institute of Zoology and University
of Newcastle.
Investigating mate choice and olfactory signalling in mice. Funded by
Leverhulme Trust.
1994-97
Career break
Selected
recent publications
- Roberts SC, Little AC,
Gosling LM, Perrett D, Jones BC, Carter V, Penton-Voak IS & Petrie M. MHC-heterozygosity and human facial attractiveness.
Evolution & Human Behavior (in press)
- Roberts SC, Havlicek J, Flegr J, Hruskova M, Little AC, Jones BC,
Perrett DI & Petrie M. 2004. Female facial
attractiveness increases during the fertile phase of the menstrual
cycle. Proc.R.Soc.Lond.B (Suppl.)
271, S270-272.
- Roberts SC & Gosling LM.
2004. Manipulation of olfactory signaling and mate choice for
conservation breeding: a case study of the harvest mouse. Conservation
Biology 18, 548-556.
- Roberts SC & Gosling LM.
2003. Genetic quality and similarity interact in mate choice decisions
by female mice. Nature Genetics 35, 103-106.
- Gosling LM & Roberts SC.
2001. Testing ideas about the function of scent marks in territories
from spatial patterns. Animal Behaviour 62,
F7-F10.
- Gosling LM & Roberts SC
2001. Scent-marking by male mammals: cheat-proof signals to competitors
and mates. Advances in the Study of Behaviour
30, 169-217.
- Roberts SC, Gosling LM,
Thornton EA & McClung J. 2001. Scent-marking by male mice under the
risk of predation. Behavioural Ecology
12,698-705
- Roberts SC & Dunbar RIM
2000. Female territoriality and the function of scent-marking in a
monogamous antelope (Oreotragus oreotragus). Behav.Ecol.Sociobiol., 47, 417-423.
- Gosling LM, Roberts SC,
Thornton EA & Andrew MA 2000. Life history costs of olfactory status
signalling in mice. Behav.Ecol.Sociobiol.48,
328-332.
- Roberts SC & Dunbar RIM
2000. Female territoriality and the function of scent-marking in a
monogamous antelope (Oreotragus oreotragus).Behav.Ecol.Sociobiol., 47, 417-423.
- Carbone C, Mace G, Roberts SC & Macdonald
DW 1999. Energetic constraints on the diet of terrestrial carnivores.
Nature 402, 286-288.
School of Biological Sciences,
University of Liverpool,
Biosciences Building, Crown Street
Liverpool, L69 7ZB
Phone: 0151 795 4514
http://sphere.bioc.liv.ac.uk:8080/bio/people/academic/roberts_sc
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