Kin Selection, Genetic Kin Selection, Genetic Selection, and Information-Selection, and Information-

dependent strategiesdependent strategiesBy JC Santos, Thomas Valencia, By JC Santos, Thomas Valencia,

Jannall BrummellJannall Brummell

Kin SelectionKin Selection

How natural selection shapes genetically How natural selection shapes genetically inherited traits that simultaneously impact the inherited traits that simultaneously impact the reproduction of the carrier of the trait and the reproduction of the carrier of the trait and the reproduction of individuals who share genes reproduction of individuals who share genes underlying that trait underlying that trait Rushton sees kin selection as a strategy of Rushton sees kin selection as a strategy of reproductive trade-off between carrier and reproductive trade-off between carrier and recipient that will emerge in the genetic code recipient that will emerge in the genetic code relative to the strategy needed for that particular relative to the strategy needed for that particular environment environment

Genetic SimilarityGenetic Similarity

Between individualsBetween individualsSubstituted for relatednessSubstituted for relatednessIllustrates that selection operates on a Illustrates that selection operates on a genetic level and therefore kin selection genetic level and therefore kin selection and inclusive fitness should be addressed and inclusive fitness should be addressed on the genetic level instead if the on the genetic level instead if the individual level individual level

Flaws of Genetic Similarity TheoryFlaws of Genetic Similarity Theory

At the genetic level there is no similarityAt the genetic level there is no similarity genetics are either genetics are either identical identical not identicalnot identical information indicating that a replica of a gene information indicating that a replica of a gene

will be duplicated. will be duplicated. Genes will replicate regardless of whatGenes will replicate regardless of what individuals they are in individuals they are in in relation to the environment. in relation to the environment.

2 Key Questions about Genetic 2 Key Questions about Genetic Similarity TheorySimilarity Theory

1) Does genetic similarity operate as an 1) Does genetic similarity operate as an evolutionary principle independent of evolutionary principle independent of common ancestry?common ancestry? 2) Can and does a phenotype matching 2) Can and does a phenotype matching process that samples heritable phenotypic process that samples heritable phenotypic markers (in order to create altruism and/or markers (in order to create altruism and/or mating) operate in humans?mating) operate in humans?

Answer to Question 1Answer to Question 1

““Genetic similarity” does not arise independently from Genetic similarity” does not arise independently from relatedness because of the amount of possible gene relatedness because of the amount of possible gene combinations created during sex. combinations created during sex.

likelihood that someone not of common ancestry in the likelihood that someone not of common ancestry in the Pleistocene era who was genetically similar to oneself would be Pleistocene era who was genetically similar to oneself would be virtually impossible due to the countless combinations of sex. virtually impossible due to the countless combinations of sex.

if it did happen there would be no way to really know if a non-if it did happen there would be no way to really know if a non-related stranger contained a genetically similar trait. related stranger contained a genetically similar trait.

the concept of altruism shared between related kin is lost in this the concept of altruism shared between related kin is lost in this theory due to the fact that we are altruistic toward our own kin theory due to the fact that we are altruistic toward our own kin and not someone who might have a similar trait as oneself. and not someone who might have a similar trait as oneself.

Answer to Question 2Answer to Question 2

““Yes,” adaptations for assessing relatedness Yes,” adaptations for assessing relatedness between kin must arise as a mechanism between kin must arise as a mechanism so one will be able to regulate kin relevant strategies so one will be able to regulate kin relevant strategies

such as altruism and mating. such as altruism and mating. arises out of a shared common ancestryarises out of a shared common ancestry it is possible that using information of heredity it is possible that using information of heredity

markers could help in constructing patterns of kinship markers could help in constructing patterns of kinship helps influence mating, friendship, and altruism in humans.helps influence mating, friendship, and altruism in humans.

Blood Group DataBlood Group Data

Deals with the concept of race, and how we as Deals with the concept of race, and how we as people tend to travel with those of one’s race people tend to travel with those of one’s race due to the fact that we share more common due to the fact that we share more common genes with those of our own race. genes with those of our own race. the concept of blood groups does not explain the the concept of blood groups does not explain the evolution of kin-selection mechanisms. evolution of kin-selection mechanisms. a non-relative of one’s own race are only slightly a non-relative of one’s own race are only slightly

different from individuals of a different race different from individuals of a different race competition evolving out of the Pleistocene would competition evolving out of the Pleistocene would

help in the development of inclusive fitness effects on help in the development of inclusive fitness effects on such concepts as coalitions and altruism.such concepts as coalitions and altruism.

ConclusionConclusion

The concept of genetic phenotype markers as a The concept of genetic phenotype markers as a way to form human coalitions is limited way to form human coalitions is limited only provides information for the formation of inclusive only provides information for the formation of inclusive

fitness strategy fitness strategy Markers do not seem useful in tracing close kinship Markers do not seem useful in tracing close kinship

links as the more distant the relationship tracked the links as the more distant the relationship tracked the more useless the markers would serve as source of more useless the markers would serve as source of informationinformation

Empirical results have a sound basis but the Empirical results have a sound basis but the concept of “genetic similarity” distorts the main concept of “genetic similarity” distorts the main idea of inclusive fitness and how altruism and idea of inclusive fitness and how altruism and coalitions form based on kin ties.coalitions form based on kin ties.

Critical ReviewCritical Review

Not clear whether it is proper to generalize Not clear whether it is proper to generalize results from Pleistocene era.results from Pleistocene era.Since blood group data can not explain the Since blood group data can not explain the evolution of kin-selection is it worth evolution of kin-selection is it worth analyzing further?analyzing further?Should kin selection be addressed on the Should kin selection be addressed on the genetic level instead of the individual genetic level instead of the individual level?level?