Nature. 2010 Aug 26;466(7310):1057-62. doi: 10.1038/nature09205.

The evolution of eusociality.

Source

Program for Evolutionary Dynamics, Department of Mathematics, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA. martin_nowak@harvard.edu

Abstract

Eusociality, in which some individuals reduce their own lifetime reproductive potential to raise the offspring of others, underlies the most advanced forms of social organization and the ecologically dominant role of social insects and humans. For the past four decades kin selection theory, based on the concept of inclusive fitness, has been the major theoretical attempt to explain the evolution of eusociality. Here we show the limitations of this approach. We argue that standard natural selection theory in the context of precise models of population structure represents a simpler and superior approach, allows the evaluation of multiple competing hypotheses, and provides an exact framework for interpreting empirical observations.

Comment in

Kin selection and eusociality. [Nature. 2011]
Kin selection and eusociality.Strassmann JE, Page RE Jr, Robinson GE, Seeley TD. Nature. 2011 Mar 24; 471(7339):E5-6; author reply E9-10.
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Inclusive fitness theory and eusociality.Abbot P, Abe J, Alcock J, Alizon S, Alpedrinha JA, Andersson M, Andre JB, van Baalen M, Balloux F, Balshine S, et al. Nature. 2011 Mar 24; 471(7339):E1-4; author reply E9-10.
Only full-sibling families evolved eusociality. [Nature. 2011]
Only full-sibling families evolved eusociality.Boomsma JJ, Beekman M, Cornwallis CK, Griffin AS, Holman L, Hughes WO, Keller L, Oldroyd BP, Ratnieks FL. Nature. 2011 Mar 24; 471(7339):E4-5; author reply E9-10.
Inclusive fitness in evolution. [Nature. 2011]
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Call for a return to rigour in models. [Nature. 2010]
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Better living through physics. [Nature. 2010]
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Ground truth is the test that counts. [Nature. 2010]
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