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Nature 442, 881-882 (24 August 2006) | doi:10.1038/442881a; Received 16 January 2006; Accepted 29 June 2006; Published online 23 August 2006
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Faculty Position in Mathematical Biology
- The Ohio State University
- Ohio, USA
Faculty Positions
- University of Texas Medical Branch
- Galveston, TX United States
Social evolution: Kin preference in a social microbe
Natasha J. Mehdiabadi1, Chandra N. Jack1, Tiffany Talley Farnham1, Thomas G. Platt1,3, Sara E. Kalla1, Gad Shaulsky2, David C. Queller1 & Joan E. Strassmann1
Abstract
Given the right circumstances, even an amoeba chooses to be altruistic towards its relatives.
Abstract
Kin recognition helps cooperation to evolve in many animals1, but it is uncertain whether microorganisms can also use it to focus altruistic behaviour on relatives. Here we show that the social amoeba Dictyostelium purpureum prefers to form groups with its own kin in situations where some individuals die to assist others. By directing altruism towards kin, D. purpureum should generally avoid the costs of chimaerism2, 3 experienced by the related D. discoideum.
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