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Types of Selection

Types of Selection

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...

Frequency-dependent Selection

Frequency-dependent Selection

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.

Genetics of Speciation

Genetics of Speciation

Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.

What is Natural Selection?

What is Natural Selection?

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.

Natural Selection and Mating Preferences

Natural Selection and Mating Preferences

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.
Females, due to their biological roles in conception, pregnancy, and nursing,...

Gene Flow

Gene Flow

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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Inherent Dynamics Visualizer, an Interactive Application for Evaluating and Visualizing Outputs from a Gene Regulatory Network Inference Pipeline

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Kin selection spreads.

James P Higham¹

¹Department of Anthropology, New York University, New York, United States.

|November 24, 2022

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Mandrill mothers spend more time with infants resembling their own. This behavior may increase social interactions between offspring and their paternal half-siblings.

Keywords:

ecology evolution evolutionary biology indirect fitness kin selection mandrillus sphinx primate

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Area of Science:

Primate behavior
Evolutionary biology
Social learning

Background:

Mandrill mothers exhibit selective attention towards infants.
Infant facial features play a role in maternal recognition and bonding.
Paternal half-siblings share one parent, influencing social dynamics and kin recognition.

Discussion:

Maternal proximity to infants with similar phenotypes may facilitate kin recognition.
Increased interaction with paternal half-siblings can impact offspring development and social integration.
This behavior suggests a potential mechanism for managing inbreeding avoidance and promoting inclusive fitness.

Key Insights:

Mandrill mothers' proximity to infants is influenced by infant phenotype.
Maternal behavior can mediate offspring interactions with paternal half-siblings.
Phenotypic resemblance may serve as a cue for maternal-offspring recognition and social bonding.

Outlook:

Further research can explore the long-term effects of these interactions on social structure.
Investigating the genetic basis of phenotypic recognition in mandrills is warranted.
Comparative studies across other primate species can elucidate the generality of these findings.