Kin selection and eusociality

Abstract

Arising from M. A. Nowak, C. E. Tarnita & E. O. Wilson 466, 1057-1062 (2010); Nowak et al. reply. Hamilton described a selective process in which individuals affect kin (kin selection), developed a novel modelling strategy for it (inclusive fitness), and derived a rule to describe it (Hamilton's rule). Nowak et al. assert that inclusive fitness is not the best modelling strategy, and also that its production has been "meagre". The former may be debated by theoreticians, but the latter is simply incorrect. There is abundant evidence to demonstrate that inclusive fitness, kin selection and Hamilton's rule have been extraordinarily productive for understanding the evolution of sociality.