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.
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True, bats depend on making bonds with other bats besides their kin for survival. A good way to call it is group altruism : )
ReplyDeleteI like that you described altruistic behavior through the examples of reciprocating.
ReplyDeleteI really like the vampire bat example! I think this one is epic.
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