We propose a minimalist stochastic model of multilevel (or group) selection. A population is subdivided into groups. Individuals interact with other members of the group in an evolutionary game that determines their fitness. Individuals reproduce, and offspring are added to the same group. If a group reaches a certain size, it can split into two. Faster reproducing individuals lead to larger groups that split more often. In our model, higher-level selection emerges as a byproduct of individual reproduction and population structure. We derive a fundamental condition for the evolution of cooperation by group selection: if / > 1 + /, then group selection favors cooperation. The parameters and denote the benefit and cost of the altruistic act, whereas and denote the maximum group size and the number of groups. The model can be extended to more than two levels of selection and to include migration.
Traulsen2006b - Evolution of cooperation by multilevel selection.pdf:Evolutionary Game Theory/Traulsen2006b - Evolution of cooperation by multilevel selection.pdf:PDF
%0 Journal Article
%1 Traulsen2006b
%A Traulsen, Arne
%A Nowak, Martin A.
%D 2006
%J Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A.
%K game-theory evolution
%N 29
%P 10952--10955
%R 10.1073/pnas.0602530103
%T Evolution of cooperation by multilevel selection
%V 103
%X We propose a minimalist stochastic model of multilevel (or group) selection. A population is subdivided into groups. Individuals interact with other members of the group in an evolutionary game that determines their fitness. Individuals reproduce, and offspring are added to the same group. If a group reaches a certain size, it can split into two. Faster reproducing individuals lead to larger groups that split more often. In our model, higher-level selection emerges as a byproduct of individual reproduction and population structure. We derive a fundamental condition for the evolution of cooperation by group selection: if / > 1 + /, then group selection favors cooperation. The parameters and denote the benefit and cost of the altruistic act, whereas and denote the maximum group size and the number of groups. The model can be extended to more than two levels of selection and to include migration.
@article{Traulsen2006b,
abstract = {We propose a minimalist stochastic model of multilevel (or group) selection. A population is subdivided into groups. Individuals interact with other members of the group in an evolutionary game that determines their fitness. Individuals reproduce, and offspring are added to the same group. If a group reaches a certain size, it can split into two. Faster reproducing individuals lead to larger groups that split more often. In our model, higher-level selection emerges as a byproduct of individual reproduction and population structure. We derive a fundamental condition for the evolution of cooperation by group selection: if / > 1 + /, then group selection favors cooperation. The parameters and denote the benefit and cost of the altruistic act, whereas and denote the maximum group size and the number of groups. The model can be extended to more than two levels of selection and to include migration.},
added-at = {2011-01-13T13:26:34.000+0100},
author = {Traulsen, Arne and Nowak, Martin A.},
biburl = {https://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/257b7cc50896de40a9152971a0c03656a/rincedd},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.0602530103},
file = {Traulsen2006b - Evolution of cooperation by multilevel selection.pdf:Evolutionary Game Theory/Traulsen2006b - Evolution of cooperation by multilevel selection.pdf:PDF},
interhash = {d3d011bcc26c67fe6431ee4089e562da},
intrahash = {57b7cc50896de40a9152971a0c03656a},
journal = {Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A.},
keywords = {game-theory evolution},
number = 29,
pages = {10952--10955},
timestamp = {2011-01-13T13:26:34.000+0100},
title = {Evolution of cooperation by multilevel selection},
volume = 103,
year = 2006
}