September 10- Kin Selection
Altruism and kin selection are similar to each other; sometimes causing some confusion. Altruism is when an organism its behavior benefits another organisms at a cost to its self. Kin selection is specific to individuals that are in the same family. Given these definitions, one could easily come to a conclusion that kin selection is altruism in a specific form. An example of altruism and kin selection coming together is alarm calls. In certain groups of closely related animals (squirrels, apes, meerkats) members of the extended family will call out an alarm when a predator is near causing a threat. This act puts themselves in more danger but helping out members of the family.
Meerkats are an excellent example of kin selection. Could you expand on potential benefits to the alarm caller when kin are involved?
ReplyDeleteHey Kaelyn!
ReplyDeleteYou had great examples for both altruism and kin selection, to be help me understand the examples fully maybe you could have added a video showcasing Meerkats alarming those around them. You did a great job of convincing me that they were both very closely related. Great Job!
Hey Kaelyn, I had not even thought about the acts of Meerkats alarming others as an example of kin selections. I feel like this example really helped me look at this topic in a wide view, and understand kin selection better. Good job!
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