Epigenesis and the evolution of social systems

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Behavioral Ecology

Background:

• Unresolved biological problems include development regulation, micro/macroevolution, mind/body association, and gene-culture linkage.
• Societies provide unique advantages for studying epigenesis due to observable constituent organisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose epigenesis as a unifying framework for solving key biological problems.
• To demonstrate the utility of studying epigenesis in social systems, including insects and humans.
• To elucidate the interplay between genetic and cultural evolution.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of epigenesis in social insect colonies, including "pseudomutant" colonies.
• Observation and statistical description of individual choices during socialization in human cultural evolution.
• Investigating natural selection on behavior within cultures to alter gene frequencies.

Main Results:

• Identified net energetic yield as a maximized aspect of foraging in leaf-cutting ant division of labor.
• Demonstrated that individual socialization choices can be statistically described to show cultural diversity.
• Postulated a "co-evolutionary circuit" linking genetic and cultural evolution.

Conclusions:

• Epigenesis of individual organisms is key to understanding complex biological phenomena.
• Social systems, particularly social insects and human societies, are valuable models for epigenetic research.
• A continuous feedback loop exists between genetic and cultural evolution.