Inclusive fitness and the major transitions in evolution

Bourke, Andrew ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5891-8816 (2019) Inclusive fitness and the major transitions in evolution. Current Opinion in Insect Science, 34. pp. 61-67. ISSN 2214-5753

Preview

PDF (Accepted_Manuscript) - Accepted Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (455kB) | Preview

Abstract

Inclusive fitness theory is the leading framework for explaining the major transitions in evolution, whereby free-living subunits (e.g. cells, organisms) have cooperated to form new, higher-level units (e.g. organisms, eusocial societies). The theory has attracted considerable controversy. From a brief survey of the controversy's present status, I conclude that inclusive fitness theory continues to provide both a concept and a principled modelling tool of value for understanding social evolution, including major transitions. Turning to new developments in the study of major transitions, I describe work defining the point of occurrence of major transitions and, from inclusive fitness theory, the required conditions. I also suggest that it remains important to understand the evolution of individuality that occurs beyond such thresholds.

Item Type:	Article
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Biological Sciences
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Organisms and the Environment
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	04 Apr 2019 11:30
Last Modified:	13 May 2023 00:52
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/70477
DOI:	10.1016/j.cois.2019.03.008

Downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item