Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Speciation Rates01:07

Speciation Rates

21.4K
Overview
21.4K
The Evidence for Evolution02:55

The Evidence for Evolution

44.1K
Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.
44.1K
Gene Flow02:39

Gene Flow

35.6K
Gene flow is the transfer of genes among populations, resulting from either the dispersal of gametes or from the migration of individuals.
35.6K
Genetic Drift03:33

Genetic Drift

40.8K
Natural selection—probably the most well-known evolutionary mechanism—increases the prevalence of traits that enhance survival and reproduction. However, evolution does not merely propagate favorable traits, nor does it always benefit populations.
40.8K
What is Evolutionary History?02:35

What is Evolutionary History?

40.1K
Scientists record evolutionary history by analyzing fossil, morphological, and genetic data. The fossil record documents the history of life on Earth and provides evidence for evolution. However, both fossil and living organisms offer evidence that outlines Earth’s evolutionary history.
40.1K
Genetics of Speciation02:16

Genetics of Speciation

19.6K
Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.
19.6K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Virulence and Vertically Transmitted Pathogens: The Role of Costs Paid by Co-Evolving Hosts in a Self-Regulating Population.

Ecology and evolution·2025
Same author

Co-evolution of pathogen-host interactions with vertical transmission can produce bistable outcomes.

Journal of theoretical biology·2025
Same author

Kin-discriminating partner choice promotes the evolution of helping.

Evolution; international journal of organic evolution·2025
Same author

Selective advantage of redirected helping in a viscous population.

Evolution; international journal of organic evolution·2024
Same author

Evolution of delayed dispersal with group size effect and population dynamics.

Theoretical population biology·2024
Same author

Vertical transmission does not always lead to benign pathogen-host associations.

Evolution letters·2023

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Evolution of Staircase Structures in Diffusive Convection
07:28

Evolution of Staircase Structures in Diffusive Convection

Published on: September 5, 2018

6.6K

Evolution of redirected help with stepping-stone dispersal.

Alan Flatrès1, Geoff Wild1

  • 1Department of Mathematics, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada.

Theoretical Population Biology
|July 3, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Localized dispersal can prevent the evolution of redirected helping behavior in some species. This contrasts with previous models, suggesting spatial structure is key to understanding kin cooperation and potential spiteful behavior.

Keywords:
AltruismKin competitionSocial evolutionSpatial structure

More Related Videos

Stepwise Cell Seeding on Tessellated Scaffolds to Study Sprouting Blood Vessels
07:49

Stepwise Cell Seeding on Tessellated Scaffolds to Study Sprouting Blood Vessels

Published on: January 14, 2021

3.6K
Microinjection for Transgenesis and Genome Editing in Threespine Sticklebacks
08:51

Microinjection for Transgenesis and Genome Editing in Threespine Sticklebacks

Published on: May 13, 2016

14.1K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Evolution of Staircase Structures in Diffusive Convection
07:28

Evolution of Staircase Structures in Diffusive Convection

Published on: September 5, 2018

6.6K
Stepwise Cell Seeding on Tessellated Scaffolds to Study Sprouting Blood Vessels
07:49

Stepwise Cell Seeding on Tessellated Scaffolds to Study Sprouting Blood Vessels

Published on: January 14, 2021

3.6K
Microinjection for Transgenesis and Genome Editing in Threespine Sticklebacks
08:51

Microinjection for Transgenesis and Genome Editing in Threespine Sticklebacks

Published on: May 13, 2016

14.1K

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Behavioral Ecology
  • Population Genetics

Background:

  • Brood failure is a common challenge for many species, often due to predation.
  • Some species exhibit 'redirected helping,' where individuals assist related neighbors with offspring care to compensate for lost fitness.
  • Inclusive fitness benefits of helping can be diminished in viscous populations due to increased kin competition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of population viscosity in the evolution of redirected helping behavior.
  • To compare findings with previous models that lacked explicit spatial structure.
  • To explore how localized dispersal influences the evolution of cooperative and potentially spiteful behaviors.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a spatially explicit stepping-stone dispersal model.
  • Constrained dispersal patterns to simulate higher population viscosity.
  • Analyzed the impact of dispersal scale, survival rates, and helping benefits on evolutionary outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Localized dispersal can inhibit the evolution of redirected helping.
  • Under specific conditions, spiteful behavior may evolve in viscous populations.
  • Model predictions are sensitive to dispersal scale, survival rates, and the benefits of helping.

Conclusions:

  • Spatial structure and population viscosity significantly impact the evolution of cooperative behaviors like redirected helping.
  • Localized dispersal can counteract the inclusive fitness benefits of helping, potentially leading to different evolutionary trajectories.
  • Further research is needed to understand the interplay between dispersal, viscosity, and the evolution of social behaviors.