Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Microscopy of Fission Yeast Sexual Lifecycle
Published on: March 9, 2016
The kin structure of sexual interactions
1School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK. a.bourke@uea.ac.uk
Abstract:
The origin of sexual reproduction involved the evolution of zygotes from separate genomes and, like other social processes, should therefore be amenable to analysis using kin selection theory. I consider how kin structure affects sexual interactions in three contexts--the evolution of sexual reproduction, sex allocation and sexual conflict. Kin structure helps explain the even-handed replication of paternal and maternal genes under outbreeding. Under inbreeding, it predicts altruistic failure to replicate by one half of the diploid genome. Kin structure predicts optimal sex ratios and potential conflicts over sex ratio within social groups and individuals. Sexual conflict predictably occurs as a function of (i) the probability that current sexual partners will reproduce together in future and (ii) between-partner relatedness. I conclude that systematically analysing the kin structure of sexual interactions helps illuminate their evolution.
Related Concept Videos
Relationship Formation
Relationship Growth
Natural Selection and Mating Preferences
Females, due to their biological roles in conception, pregnancy, and nursing, inherently...
Mate Choice
Attachment of Sister Chromatids
Attachment of Sister Chromatids

