kin selection

noun

Definition of kin selection

: a theory of natural selection which states that a usually altruistic behavior or attribute that lowers the fitness of a particular individual is selected for if it increases the probability of survival and reproduction of related kin who possess some or all of the same genes as the altruistic individual

Examples of kin selection in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For kin selection, that’s direct versus indirect benefits. — Jordana Cepelewicz, Scientific American, "The Elusive Calculus of Insect Altruism," 26 Apr. 2018 The framework of inclusive fitness theory provides a good way to envision the role played by kin selection and relatedness. — Jordana Cepelewicz, Scientific American, "The Elusive Calculus of Insect Altruism," 26 Apr. 2018 The new model could even be applied to research on kin selection in plants. — Jordana Cepelewicz, Scientific American, "The Elusive Calculus of Insect Altruism," 26 Apr. 2018 Others help genetic relatives in a motivation called kin selection. — Lynn Johnson, National Geographic, "How Fear Makes You Do Good Or Evil," 3 Jan. 2018

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