Week 13. Selfish Genes & Evolution of Sociality

November 2nd:

What do these four things have in common?

read:
Sinero Chapter 4 & 8 & 17
Dawkins Chapter 12 "Nice Guys Finish Last" e-reserves

Extra:
For years, I avoided reading the original scientific publication thinking that I wouldn't understand it. But, when i finally broke down, I was pleasantly surprised.
Axelrod & Hamilton (1981) The Evolution of Cooperation Science 211:1390-1396.
But if you prefer a bit more detail, check out the book "The Evolution of Cooperation" by Robert Axelrod. It is in the library, or the chapter relating to evolution is on e-reserve.
In class we will also discuss a few examples of greenbeard genes.
Sinervo et al (2006) Self-recognition, color signals, and cycles of greenbeard mutualism and altruism PNAS 103:7372-7377.
Queller et al (2003) Single-Gene Greenbeard Effects in the Social Amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. Science 299:105-106
Keller et al., (1998)Selfishgene: a greenbeard in the red fire ant. Nature:394:573-575.