Genetic Relatedness
- 112 Downloads
Synonyms
Definition
The probability that an allele in one individual is also found in another individual.
Introduction
Relatedness is an important parameter in kin selection or more generally inclusive fitness theory. One significant puzzle in the history of evolutionary theorizing is the evolution of altruism. Kin selection, with the use of the relatedness parameter, often denoted by r, permits to solve this puzzle.
The Puzzle of Altruism
A classical approach to natural selection tells us that only traits which confer a heritable fitness (reproductive) advantage to their bearer will evolve by natural selection. For instance, suppose a population of organisms which vary in height and in which the taller an organism is the higher its reproductive output. We could imagine that the organisms are giraffes and that giraffes which are taller have access to leaves on...
References
- Bourke, A. F. (2011). Principles of social evolution. Oxford: Oxford University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Dawkins, R. (1976). The selfish gene. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
- Gardner, A., & West, S. A. (2010). Greenbeards. Evolution, 64, 25–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Hamilton, W. D. (1963). The evolution of altruistic behavior. The American Naturalist, 97, 354–356.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Hamilton, W. D. (1964a). The genetical evolution of social behaviour. I. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 7, 1–16.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Hamilton, W. D. (1964b). The genetical evolution of social behaviour. II. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 7, 17–52.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Lewontin, R. C. (1970). The units of selection. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 1, 1–18.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Trivers, R. L. (1971). The evolution of reciprocal altruism. Quarterly Review of Biology, 46, 35–57.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- Williams, G. C. (1966). Adaptation and natural selection: A critique of some current evolutionary thought. Princeton: Princeton University Press.Google Scholar
- Wilson, E. O. (1990). Success and dominance in ecosystems: The case of the social insects. Nordbunte: Ecology Institute.Google Scholar