eusociality

Buffenstein is particularly concerned with keeping track of the longevity of these tiny, blind, buck-toothed rodents who exhibit a form of intense social organization, known as eusociality, that is extremely rare in mammals.

unknown title 2009

Buffenstein is particularly concerned with keeping track of the longevity of these tiny, blind, buck-toothed rodents who exhibit a form of intense social organization, known as eusociality, that is extremely rare in mammals.

unknown title 2009

With our new mathematical model we see very clearly why it is not simply “relatedness” that drives the evolution of eusociality.

SuperCooperators Martin A. Nowak 2011

As a result of what Wilson calls “spring-loaded preadaptations,” a primitive form of eusociality was established.

SuperCooperators Martin A. Nowak 2011

The mystery is deepened by the knowledge that once eusociality takes off, it is amazingly successful.

SuperCooperators Martin A. Nowak 2011

In this way, Corina Tarnita, Edward Wilson, and I have developed a novel, alternative way to explain the evolution of eusociality without resorting to the gyrations of inclusive fitness.

SuperCooperators Martin A. Nowak 2011

In the earliest stage of eusociality, the offspring that stayed with the nest would be expected to assume the worker role, following a preexisting genetically encoded behavioral rule.

SuperCooperators Martin A. Nowak 2011

Lifetime monogamy and the evolution of eusociality.

SuperCooperators Martin A. Nowak 2011

Wilson and I believe that crossing the threshold to eusociality requires only that a female and her adult offspring do not depart to start new, individual nests but instead stay put.

SuperCooperators Martin A. Nowak 2011

Wilson, Corina Tarnita, and I have worked together on what he calls a “climactic project” that aims to explain the origin of eusociality using the mathematics of cooperation.

SuperCooperators Martin A. Nowak 2011