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Theory of Kin Selection

Darwin suggested a theory of kin selection as the reason that social insects have sterile worker castes; W.D. Hamilton later mathematically defined Hamilton's Rule to explain the evolution of apparently altruistic acts that benefit one's close kin or species.

In natural selection, a gene that supports its own dissemination should grow more common. Since identical copies of these genes may be carried in relatives, an individual does not have to procreate to disseminate a gene, but rather may help his or her kin grown more successful, provided that:

R X B >C

Where R = the genetic similarity of the actor to the recipient of altruism (probability that random genes picked from each at same locus is identical); B = additional reproductive benefit derived for the recipient; C = reproductive cost of the altruistic act to the actor.

By this definition, siblings (R=50%), nephews (R=25%) and cousins (R=12.5%) would be most likely to benefit from altruistic actions. Hamilton's Rule has been used to explain the development of social structures in vertebrates and invertebrates.

Web Resources On Theory of Kin Selection

Hamilton's Theory
The Evolution of Social Behavior

Book Resources On Theory of Kin Selection

The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins
Evolution of Social Insect Colonies: Sex Allocation and Kin Selection by Pamilo & Crozier

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