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The joint evolution of cooperation and competition
1Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, 4200-6270 University Blvd. Vancouver, B.C., V6T 1Z4, Canada.
Journal of Theoretical Biology
|July 20, 2019
Summary
Competition for rewards drives the evolution of cooperation and polymorphism in social groups. This study reveals that considering both cooperation and competition together yields different outcomes than studying them in isolation.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Behavioral ecology
- Game theory
Background:
- Social interactions often involve both cooperation and competition.
- Previous research often studied cooperation or competition in isolation.
- The interplay between cooperative and competitive strategies is crucial for understanding social evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the joint evolution of cooperation and competition.
- To analyze how these traits influence each other in social dynamics.
- To explore the evolutionary consequences of simultaneous cooperation and competition.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the continuous snowdrift game for reward production.
- Employed a generalized tug-of-war game for reward division.
- Applied adaptive dynamics and numerical simulations to model trait evolution.
Main Results:
- Competition for rewards promotes evolutionary branching and polymorphism in both traits.
- In polymorphic populations, cooperation levels correlate positively with competition levels.
- Competition enhances the average level of cooperation within the population.
Conclusions:
- The coevolution of cooperation and competition leads to distinct outcomes compared to studying them separately.
- Simultaneous consideration of multiple social interaction aspects is essential.
- Polymorphism in social traits arises from the interplay of cooperation and competition.
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