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Genetic relatedness in viscous populations

Evolutionary Ecology volume 8, pages 70–73 (1994)Cite this article

Summary

Hamilton's inclusive fitness rule shows that the evolution of altruism is facilitated by high genetic relatedness of altruists to their beneficiaries. But the evolution of altruism is inhibited when the beneficiaries are also close competitors of the altruist, as will often be true in structured or viscous populations. However, Hamilton's rule still gives the correct condition for the evolution of altruism if relatedness is measured with respect to the local competitive neighbourhood.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Rice University, PO Box 1892, 77251, Houston, TX, USA

    David C. Queller

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  1. David C. Queller
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Queller, D.C. Genetic relatedness in viscous populations. Evol Ecol 8, 70–73 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01237667

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01237667

Keywords

  • relatedness
  • altruism
  • viscous population
  • kin selection
  • Hamilton's rule