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Related Concept Videos

Frequency-dependent Selection01:21

Frequency-dependent Selection

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When the fitness of a trait is influenced by how common it is (i.e., its frequency) relative to different traits within a population, this is referred to as frequency-dependent selection. Frequency-dependent selection may occur between species or within a single species. This type of selection can either be positive—with more common phenotypes having higher fitness—or negative, with rarer phenotypes conferring increased fitness.
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Natural selection influences the frequencies of particular alleles and phenotypes within populations in several different ways. Primarily, natural selection can be directional, stabilizing, or disruptive. Directional selection favors one extreme trait and shifts the population towards that phenotype while selecting against individuals displaying alternate traits. Stabilizing selection favors an intermediate trait with a narrow range of variation. Deviation from the optimal phenotype towards an...
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Natural selection is an evolutionary process in which individuals with survival-promoting traits reproduce at higher rates. These favorable traits become more common within a population or species. Naturally selected traits initially arise via random genetic mutations. In order for selection to occur, there must be variation within a population, the trait controlling the variation must be heritable, and there must be an evolutionary advantage for variation in the trait.
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The principle of natural selection posits that organisms better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. This principle is closely intertwined with mating preferences, a key aspect of sexual selection, which evolutionary psychologists believe is driven by instincts to propagate one's genes. Such instincts significantly influence mating behaviors and preferences between genders.
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Crop cultivation has a long history in human civilization, with records showing the cultivation of cereal plants beginning at around 8000 BC. This early plant breeding was developed primarily to provide a steady supply of food.
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Gene flow is the transfer of genes among populations, resulting from either the dispersal of gametes or from the migration of individuals.
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Kin selection theory and the design of cooperative crops.

Jay M Biernaskie1

  • 1Department of Crop Genetics John Innes Centre Norwich UK.

Evolutionary Applications
|November 4, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Harnessing kin selection theory can improve crop yields by promoting cooperation. A new "colonial ideotype" strategy, building on natural selection, offers a promising approach for future plant breeding.

Keywords:
Darwinian agricultureevolutionary agroecologygroup selectioninclusive fitnessmultilevel selectiontragedy of the commons

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Area of Science:

  • Agricultural Science
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cooperative traits in crops can increase overall yield, a concept linked to inclusive fitness (kin selection) theory.
  • Kin selection theory, while foundational in biology, has been underutilized in developing cooperative crop strategies.
  • Previous approaches to cooperative crops have limitations hindering future advancements.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review modern kin selection theory and its application to designing cooperative crops.
  • To evaluate existing strategies for cooperative crop design, including communal ideotypes and group selection.
  • To propose a novel 'colonial ideotype' strategy based on natural selection for cooperation.

Main Methods:

  • Overview of modern kin selection theory.
  • Analysis of three strategies for cooperative crop design: communal ideotype, group-level selection, and exploiting natural cooperation.
  • Proposal of the 'colonial ideotype' concept.

Main Results:

  • Artificial selection strategies (communal ideotype, group selection) have had past success but face limitations.
  • The 'colonial ideotype' leverages natural selection for cooperation within individual plants (e.g., between stems).
  • Hamiltonian agriculture, applying kin selection to plant breeding, offers a new paradigm for crop improvement.

Conclusions:

  • Kin selection theory provides a powerful framework for understanding and enhancing cooperation in agriculture.
  • The proposed 'colonial ideotype' represents a novel and potentially more effective strategy for breeding cooperative crops.
  • Adopting a Hamiltonian agriculture perspective can revolutionize future crop development and increase total yields.