Which piece of evidence best supports the hypothesis that the evolution of altruistic behavior is driven by kin selection?(1 point)
The observation that individuals are more likely to perform altruistic behaviors towards their close relatives.
The piece of evidence that best supports the hypothesis that the evolution of altruistic behavior is driven by kin selection is the observation of helping behaviors primarily occurring among close relatives. One example of this is the study conducted on social insects, such as ants, bees, and wasps, where workers often sacrifice their own reproductive potential to support their close relatives who share a large portion of their genetic material. This behavior can be explained by the relatedness coefficient, which measures the genetic similarity between individuals, showing that altruistic acts are more likely to occur between closely related individuals due to the increased chances of passing on shared genes. This evidence supports the hypothesis that kin selection plays a significant role in the evolution of altruistic behavior.
To determine which piece of evidence best supports the hypothesis that the evolution of altruistic behavior is driven by kin selection, it is important to consider the core principles of kin selection theory. Kin selection suggests that organisms are more likely to exhibit altruistic behavior towards individuals who share a large proportion of their genes, typically their close relatives, in order to indirectly promote their own genetic fitness.
One piece of evidence that strongly supports kin selection is the observation of kin recognition mechanisms in various species. For example, researchers have documented that animals are more likely to display altruistic behavior towards their close genetic relatives compared to unrelated individuals. This recognition ability allows organisms to identify kin and allocate resources towards them, increasing their overall genetic fitness.
To find specific examples or studies that provide evidence for the role of kin selection in the evolution of altruistic behavior, you can consult scientific literature. Online databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, or Web of Science can be utilized to search for relevant research articles. Using specific keywords like "kin selection," "altruistic behavior," and "evolution," you can narrow down your search to find studies that have examined this topic. By reading and analyzing these studies, you can identify concrete evidence that supports the role of kin selection in driving the evolution of altruistic behavior.