J. M. Pemberton

Genetic architecture of inbreeding depression may explain its persistence in a population of wild red deer

The paper investigates the genetic architecture of inbreeding depression in wild red deer, finding that it results from multiple mild or moderately deleterious mutations spread across all chromosomes.

The carboxyl-terminal sequence of PUMA binds to both anti-apoptotic proteins and membranes.

This study identifies a novel binding site in PUMA's carboxyl-terminal sequence that contributes to its resistance to BH3-mimetic displacement from anti-apoptotic proteins.

Age specific impacts of vegetation functional traits on gastro-intestinal nematode parasite burdens in a large herbivore

The paper examines how vegetation functional traits affect gastro-intestinal nematode parasite burdens in Soay sheep across different age groups, finding spatial and trait-related variations in immature sheep but not in yearlings or adults.

Purifying and balancing selection on embryonic semi-lethal haplotypes in a wild mammal.

The paper identifies three semi-lethal haplotypes in Soay sheep, showing two are under purifying selection while one is maintained by balancing selection due to increased postnatal survival.

Different helminth parasites show contrasting relationships with age in a wild ungulate

The paper examines age-related changes in helminth parasite infections in wild red deer, finding contrasting trends between strongyle nematodes and liver fluke/tissue worm infections.

Long-term temporal trends in gastrointestinal parasite infection in wild Soay sheep

This study examines 31-year trends in gastrointestinal parasite prevalence and abundance in wild Soay sheep, finding independent effects of host density and year on parasite dynamics.

Ageing red deer alter their spatial behaviour and become less social

This study shows that older red deer become less socially connected and alter their spatial behavior, indicating age-related changes in social and spatial dynamics in a wild population.

Admixture mapping reveals loci for carcass mass in red deer x sika hybrids in Kintyre, Scotland

The paper uses admixture mapping to identify QTL for carcass mass in red deer x sika hybrids, finding ten genomic regions with sika alleles associated with lower carcass mass.

Genomic analysis reveals a polygenic architecture of antler morphology in wild red deer (Cervus elaphus).

The paper investigates the genetic architecture of antler morphology in red deer using genomic data, finding a polygenic structure with heritable traits and pleiotropic effects.

Functionally distinct T-helper cell phenotypes predict resistance to different types of parasites in a wild mammal

The study shows that Th1 and Th2 immune responses predict resistance to different parasites in wild Soay sheep, supporting lab findings in natural settings.

Seasonal dynamics and repeatability of gastrointestinal parasite burdens in wild Soay sheep

This study examines seasonal changes in gastrointestinal parasite burdens in wild Soay sheep, finding differences in seasonality by parasite type and host characteristics.

Mutation load decreases with haplotype age in wild Soay sheep

The paper examines how mutation load decreases with haplotype age in wild Soay sheep by analyzing ROH and their effects on fitness.

Using genomic prediction to detect microevolutionary change of a quantitative trait

This study uses genomic prediction to detect microevolutionary changes in adult body weight of Soay sheep over 35 years, finding an increase in the genetic component despite a decrease in average body weight.

An investigation of MHC-dependent sexual selection in a free-living population of sheep

This study investigates MHC-dependent sexual selection in Soay sheep using simulations and genetic data, finding pre- and post-copulatory selection and inbreeding avoidance.

Locus-specific introgression in young hybrid swarms: drift dominates selection

The paper analyzes introgression patterns in red deer and sika hybrid zones, finding that drift, not selection, drives most locus-specific introgression rates.

Selection of lamb size and early pregnancy in Soay sheep (Ovies aries)

The paper examines the trade-off between survival and size-dependent reproduction in Soay sheep, showing that larger lambs are more likely to become pregnant but this has a viability cost, reducing positive selection for larger size.

Vitamin D status is heritable and under environment-dependent selection in the wild.

This study shows that vitamin D status is heritable and under environment-dependent selection in wild Soay sheep, with implications for survival and fecundity.

MHC class IIa haplotypes derived by high throughput SNP screening in an isolated sheep population

The paper identifies a SNP panel to impute MHC class IIa haplotypes in Soay sheep, enabling large-scale genotyping and analysis of haplotype diversity.

Genomic prediction in the wild: A case study in Soay sheep

This study applies genomic prediction to eight traits in a wild Soay sheep population, showing high accuracy, especially for traits with large-effect loci, and highlights the potential for pedigree-free genetic research in wild populations.

Multiple spatial behaviours govern social network positions in a wild ungulate

The paper uses a 43-year dataset of red deer to show how spatial behaviors and other factors shape social network positions.

Genetic architecture and lifetime dynamics of inbreeding depression in a wild mammal

This study investigates the genetic architecture of inbreeding depression in wild Soay sheep using long-term data and SNP genotypes, finding that inbreeding significantly reduces survival odds in lambs but less so with age.

Age-dependent selection on MHC class 2 variation in a free-living ruminant

This study examines MHC class II variation in Soay sheep, finding haplotype-specific effects on fitness and suggesting balancing selection and differing mechanisms between juveniles and adults.

Fitness costs of parasites explain multiple life history tradeoffs in a wild mammal

The paper examines how parasite burdens mediate reproductive and fitness tradeoffs in red deer, showing increased parasite counts during lactation correlate with reduced survival and fecundity in the following year.

Increased genetic marker density reveals high levels of admixture between red deer and introduced Japanese sika in Kintyre, Scotland

The paper uses high-density genetic markers to assess hybridization between red deer and Japanese sika in Scotland, finding higher hybridization in Kintyre compared to the NW Highlands.

The fine-scale landscape of immunity and parasitism in a wild ungulate population

The paper examines spatial patterns of immunity and parasitism in red deer, finding significant spatial heterogeneity and seasonal variation in antibody levels and helminth infection.

Reproduction has different costs for immunity and parasitism in a wild mammal

This study examines the relationship between reproduction, immunity, and parasitism in wild female red deer, finding that gestation reduces IgA but not parasitism, while lactation increases parasitism despite no immune cost.