Tweets,

A week ago, or so, there was a discussion about why animals would issue
distress calls, especially those animals already in the clutches of a
predator. In particular, how does such behaviour aid "species fitness"
and how did the behaviour evolve?

By coincidence, I just read the answer (or a theory thereof...) in the book
"The Moral Animal", by Rober Wright, a book that discusses evolutionary
psychology and its implications for society, etc. The theory in question
is called "Kin Selection", and it has only been developed within the last few
decades.

Darwin himself puzzled over the question of how sacrificial altruism could
evolve through natural selection, since the "altruist" is more likely to become
"lunch" and less likely to become "Mom" or "Dad". The extreme puzzle is the
worker bee or ant, which sacrifices all for the "collective", but never
reproduces. How could could such behaviour be "selected" for from generation
to generation? Wouldn't "selfish" ants be more likely to reproduce and
propagate their genes?

The answer hinges on the fact that individual survival isn't the issue; it's
propagation of genes that is important. If I have the "distress-call" gene (a
simplification for the sake of argument), and I cry out at the first sign of
mortal danger, I may become "lunch", thereby reducing my capacity to reproduce.
However, my action is likely to enhance the survival prospects for my kin.
Since they have a large percentage of my genes, the chances are increased that
the "distress-call" gene will get propagated.

The net affect of kin selection is that alturism in many forms is favored.

dean
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| Dean Wampler, Ph.D. email: dean at amc.com |
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