I think this discussed in The Selfish Gene; this ‘altruistic’ behaviour still helps the older workers’ genes chances of survival; no need for group selection.
How does this differ from other arguments for group selection though?
Say one mutant in the termite colony acquires this gene—I don’t see how his chances of reproduction are increased. Perhaps it has to do with termite biology—a queen with this gene’s chances of survival would be significantly higher, now that I think about it.
Perhaps it has to do with termite biology—a queen with this gene’s chances of survival would be significantly higher, now that I think about it.
The standard explanation of eusociality. Since workers don’t reproduce, they can’t be selected upon. It’s not group selection if the ‘group’ is just one individual.
I think this discussed in The Selfish Gene; this ‘altruistic’ behaviour still helps the older workers’ genes chances of survival; no need for group selection.
How does this differ from other arguments for group selection though?
Say one mutant in the termite colony acquires this gene—I don’t see how his chances of reproduction are increased. Perhaps it has to do with termite biology—a queen with this gene’s chances of survival would be significantly higher, now that I think about it.
The standard explanation of eusociality. Since workers don’t reproduce, they can’t be selected upon. It’s not group selection if the ‘group’ is just one individual.
Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. That should have occurred to me originally. I’ll remove the post, since it’s just noise.