Graduate Seminar, Biology 608W, Spring
2010
Monday 7-9 PM, Room 1208, Biology-Psychology Bldg
Evolution of Cooperation: Theory and
Evidence
Instructor: Jerry Wilkinson
Summary: Cooperation
poses an evolutionary puzzle. How can individuals that provide aid to
others increase in frequency if non-helping individuals take aid for free? One solution to this biological tragedy of the commons is that individuals only help related individuals,
thereby increasing their inclusive fitness even in the presence of cheaters. However, in a variety of cases, helping behaviors
appear to occur among unrelated or distantly related individuals. Over the past 30 years, a great variety
of models have been developed to explain how such behaviors might evolve and
persist, i.e. be evolutionarily stable.
Some of the mechanisms proposed include limited dispersal, punishment,
partner choice, and various forms of reciprocity. These mechanisms are often
investigated as independent alternatives, but they are rarely mutually
exclusive, and in most cases little evidence exists to evaluate if they
interact.
The
goal of this seminar is to 1) critically review the classical theory and recent
variations to appreciate the underlying assumptions, 2) critically review the
evidence for different ultimate and proximate mechanisms for the evolution of
helping behavior, and 3) identify model predictions, isssues
or ideas that remain to be tested. We will focus on examples of cooperation in vertebrate
societies (including humans), but cooperation in microbes, insects, and interspecific mutualisms, can also be discussed if there is
interest among the participants.
Format: This seminar
will meet once a week during a two-hour time block. After assessing the background and interests of individuals
in the class, a schedule of topics for the semester will be developed and
readings will be assigned. Each week a few key papers or book chapters will be
assigned for all members of the class to read. In addition, each class member
will be encouraged to read at least one additional paper on their own, and one
(or two) members of the class will be responsible for leading the discussion of
the articles read by all each week.
Grading: If enrolled for one credit, grades will be based on attendance and participation in discussions. If enrolled for two credits, a review paper must also be completed. The paper should be written in the form of a review article for a Trends in journal. The paper should be between 2,000 and 2,500 words (about 10 double-spaced pages) and should provide a balanced review of some topic that was covered during the course.