Hamilton goes empirical: estimation of inclusive fitness from life-history data

Hamilton's theory of kin selection is one of the most important advances in evolutionary biology since Darwin. Central to the kin-selection theory is the concept of inclusive fitness. However, despite the importance of inclusive fitness in evolutionary theory, empirical estimation of inclusive...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences Biological sciences, 2003-02, Vol.270 (1512), p.307-311
Main Author: Oli, Madan K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age structure
Altruism
Animal reproduction
Animals
Biological altruism
Biological Evolution
Creels
Ecological competition
Ecological life histories
Estimation methods
Evolutionary theories
Hamilton'S Rule
Inclusive Fitness
Individual Fitness
Kin Selection
Matrix Population Models
Models, Genetic
Population Dynamics
Reproduction - genetics
Selection, Genetic
Sexual reproduction
Sociobiology
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Summary:Hamilton's theory of kin selection is one of the most important advances in evolutionary biology since Darwin. Central to the kin-selection theory is the concept of inclusive fitness. However, despite the importance of inclusive fitness in evolutionary theory, empirical estimation of inclusive fitness has remained an elusive task. Using the concept of individual fitness, I present a method for estimating inclusive fitness and its components for diploid organisms with age-structured life histories. The method presented here: (i) allows empirical estimation of inclusive fitness from life-history data; (ii) simultaneously considers all components of fitness, including timing and magnitude of reproduction; (iii) is consistent with Hamilton's definition of inclusive fitness; and (iv) adequately addresses shortcomings of existing methods of estimating inclusive fitness. I also demonstrate the application of this new method for testing Hamilton's rule.
ISSN:0962-8452
1471-2954
DOI:10.1098/rspb.2002.2227