Restricted migration and the evolution of altruism

Abstract

A suggestion that limited migration (population viscosity) should favor the evolution of altruism has been challenged by recent kin selection models explicitly incorporating restricted migration. These models compound two distinct elements of population structure, spatial-genotypic variation and density regulation. These two characteristics are often determined by distinct biological processes. While they may be linked under certain circumstances, this is not invariably true. A simple modification of the migration system employed in these studies decouples migration and population regulation thus favoring inter-group selection. At least in some cases, restricted migration will facilitate the evolution of altruism. -Author