| Limited food induces nepotism in drywood termites. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 17148404 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The evolution of cooperation and altruistic behaviour where individuals forego their own reproduction to help others reproduce can be explained by kin selection. Depending on the costs and benefits provided, altruism can be evolutionarily favoured if it is directed at close relatives. A considerable body of data supports the role of relatedness as a key determinant of cooperation and conflict within societies. However, the role of ecological factors and, in particular, how these costs and benefits interact with relatedness remains poorly understood. By studying 16 colonies, here I show that in a drywood termite ecological factors determine the importance of relatedness. In colonies with limited food supply, nestmates restrict cooperative interactions mainly to close relatives, while non-discriminative cooperation occurs when food is abundant. This shows for the first time directly the interaction between ecological conditions and relatedness in shaping cooperation. |
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Authors:
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Judith Korb |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Biology letters Volume: 2 ISSN: 1744-9561 ISO Abbreviation: Biol. Lett. Publication Date: 2006 Sep |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2006-12-06 Completed Date: 2007-01-12 Revised Date: 2009-11-18 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 101247722 Medline TA: Biol Lett Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 364-6 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Biologie I, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany. judith.krob@biologie.uni-regensburg.de |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Competitive Behavior Cooperative Behavior* Ecology / methods Environment Evolution* Feeding Behavior* Female Food* Isoptera / physiology* Male Models, Biological Reproduction* Social Behavior* |
| Comments/Corrections | |
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