Question

There are three paths to the evolution of cooperation: multilevel selection, kin selection and reciprocation. Which path is most common? Justify the answer with logic based on what conditions and outcomes each of these paths require, as well as examples that illustrate these conditions.

Answer 1

The most common and logical cooperative interaction will be kin selection.

Kin selection- Kin selection is selection where the individuals instead of saving onself or increasing fitness of onself behave altruistically. Increases the chances of survival and fitness of its realtives i.e. individuals whom it shares the same genes.The rational behing this selection is that even if individual meet its fate still the genes or realted genes will be safeguared and will be present in the gene pool.This selection comes to play only when the cost endured by the altruistic effects it much less then the benefits it has acquired.Eg-Florida scrub jay these individuals help other pairs to mate so even if something happens to then then also there gene remains.

2 . Group Selection

The group selection involves the selection at the level of whole group.In which instead of an individual geting selected the whole group is selected for or against.That is here natural selection does not act on the individual but whole group.That is individual act altruistically for individual even if they are not realted and does not share genes.The natural selection always act on the level of individual and hence group selection is not a term and sometimes some selfish individuals can also develop im group selection.e.g. the system of predatory warning in prairie dogs.

3.Reciprocal altruism-It is based on the fact that one individual altruistically will help another totally unrealted individual.Only if that individual can help him in anyways in future and recognise it or that individual may meet him in combat.The unsurity that other individual will purposely help and maybe is selfish makes it an unpopular mode of selection. Eg. Cleaning symbiosis eg in cleaner fish and their host.