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Nature 441, 291-292 (18 May 2006) | doi:10.1038/441291a; Published online 17 May 2006
Sociobiology: The Phoenix effect
Kevin R. Foster1
Abstract
A spore-forming bacterium can escape from social collapse and extinction with a single mutation that has a dramatic effect. Here is evidence that a cooperative system can recover from the very brink of destruction.
Where there is society, there are cheaters that threaten to ruin it. The evolution of such selfish behaviour can destroy cooperation, and may even drive a species to extinction1.
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