Altruism can evolve when it's not directed towards kin. Take for example vampire bats. Vampire bats go out to hunt and not all bats get blood meals like others. When this happens the ones lacking blood have to rely on those with blood to be fed. Bats can decide to feed another bat, not using too much energy, or keep it all to themselves. Vampire bats usually keep this behavior within the same cave.
This behavior is like "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" however there are individuals that don't reciprocate. By not reciprocating, they could be jeopardizing their own lives. In the future when they are in need of a meal, they may never get one because of their lack of reciprocating. By giving blood to one another they are helping the species survive. Mothers feed the young and older bats feed younger bats.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Queens and workers
Based on the Dawkins reading, the conflict between queens and workers is the queens want to create a 1:1 ratio of the same amount of male offspring that there is to female offspring. By the queen creating a 1:1 ratio it means that the workers are truely her slaves. The workers on the other hand what a 3:1 ratio, which favor sisters rather than brothers. Being a female this is the most efficient way to propagate your genes is to refain from breeding yourself and having your mother provide you with reproductive sisters and brothers. It was found in a study of ants that the workers win the conflict because they have more control. They are the guardians of the nursery where the queen just has control over her body. There is however an exception where the queen takes on salve-making workers, they think that they are achieving their desired 3:1 bias but really the queen is winning.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Natural and Sexual Selection
Darwin's belief of natural selection is based on the fact that all species of life evolved over time from a common ancestors. He believed that certain traits were passed on over time that helped with adaption, these variations helped with the struggle for existence.
Dawkins however believed in the survival of the stable. The most stable molecules will continue to grow into large molecules and eventually create cells. Cells are the start of an individual organism. Dawkins believed that natural selection involved replicators and those replicators created the genes we have today. Some genes were however discarded because the contained mutations.
The idea of sexual selection is shared by both Darwin and Dawkins. Sexual selection can favor the evolution of traits that enhance a male's success in reproduce. Parental care is very important, parents can either chose to take care of their offspring already in the world or choose to have more offspring. Sexual selection is based on traits that a female favors from one male to another male. In the end, the female has all the control over who she mates with.
Dawkins however believed in the survival of the stable. The most stable molecules will continue to grow into large molecules and eventually create cells. Cells are the start of an individual organism. Dawkins believed that natural selection involved replicators and those replicators created the genes we have today. Some genes were however discarded because the contained mutations.
The idea of sexual selection is shared by both Darwin and Dawkins. Sexual selection can favor the evolution of traits that enhance a male's success in reproduce. Parental care is very important, parents can either chose to take care of their offspring already in the world or choose to have more offspring. Sexual selection is based on traits that a female favors from one male to another male. In the end, the female has all the control over who she mates with.
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