Social dynamics of mammals : reproductive success, kinship and individual fitness [Dynamique sociale des mammifères : succès reproducteur, parenté et valeur sélective individuelle].

Résumé

Apparent altruism, in which an individual seemingly decreases its evolutionary fitness by assisting others, can confer benefits if the individual assists kin. Thus, an animal can increase its total inclusive fitness by producing offspring (direct fitness) and/or helping kin to reproduce (indirect fitness). Although kin selection has been suggested as the mechanism underlying the formation of mammalian societies, many species act as if they attempt to maximize the direct fitness component of their inclusive fitness.