Distinguishing mechanisms for the evolution of co-operation

Bull, James J.; Rice, William R.

doi:10.1016/s0022-5193(05)80072-4

Cited by 442 publications

(475 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…We conducted our experiments on polyps and not mature hosts, as it is at the polyp stage in which infection initiates. Thus, if hosts have mechanisms of 'partner choice', in which beneficial symbionts are selected by the host over harmful ones (Bull & Rice 1991;Sachs et al 2004;Simms et al in press), we would expect such mechanisms to be active in the polyp stage.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Symbioses-intimate interactions between species-provide some paradoxical examples of mutual aid. For symbionts that exchange costly benefits with hosts, we must explain what prevents them from parasitizing their hosts and thus gaining reproductive advantage over beneficial symbionts (Axelrod & Hamilton 1981;Bull & Rice 1991;Frank 1994Frank , 1996aSachs et al 2004). Symbionts which undergo horizontal transmission, defined as infectious transfer among unrelated hosts, represent a most perplexing case of mutualism.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A shift to parasitism in the jellyfish symbiont Symbiodinium microadriaticum

Sachs

Wilcox²

2005

Proc. R. Soc. B.

162

157

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One of the outstanding and poorly understood examples of cooperation between species is found in corals, hydras and jellyfish that form symbioses with algae. These mutualistic algae are mostly acquired infectiously from the seawater and, according to models of virulence evolution, should be selected to parasitize their hosts. We altered algal transmission between jellyfish hosts in the laboratory to examine the potential for virulence evolution in this widespread symbiosis. In one experimental treatment, vertical transmission of algae (parent to offspring) selected for symbiont cooperation, because symbiont fitness was tied to host reproduction. In the other treatment, horizontal transmission (infectious spread) decoupled symbiont fitness from the host, potentially allowing parasitic symbionts to spread. Fitness estimates revealed a striking shift to parasitism in the horizontal treatment. The horizontally transmitted algae proliferated faster within hosts and had higher dispersal rates from hosts compared to the vertical treatment, while reducing host reproduction and growth. However, a trade-off was detected between harm caused to hosts and symbiont fitness. Virulence trade-offs have been modelled for pathogens and may be critical in stabilising 'infectious' symbioses. Our results demonstrate the dynamic nature of this symbiosis and illustrate the potential ease with which beneficial symbionts can evolve into parasites.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A shift to parasitism in the jellyfish symbiont Symbiodinium microadriaticum

Sachs

Wilcox²

2005

Proc. R. Soc. B.

162

157

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“…There will obviously be an evolutionary arms race between signal senders, who benefit from an increasing ability to master complex pieces rapidly, and signal receivers, who benefit from an increasing ability to discriminate subtle differences in signals that correspond to practice time. Partner selection (e.g., Bull and Rice 1991;Nöe 1992) and coalition selection could have evolutionary effects similar to sexual selection, particularly the effects of sexual selection on musical variety (e.g., Werner and Todd 1997). Musical variety might also enable the reasonably reliable signaling of group identity in situations where that was in the group's interest (e.g., territorial defense by a group with a formidable military reputation).…”

Section: Lots Of Practice Makes Perfectmentioning

confidence: 99%

Music and dance as a coalition signaling system

Hagen

Bryant

2003

Hum Nat

377

312

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Evidence suggests that humans might have neurological specializations for music processing, but a compelling adaptationist account of music and dance is lacking. The sexual selection hypothesis cannot easily account for the widespread performance of music and dance in groups (especially synchronized performances), and the social bonding hypothesis has severe theoretical difficulties. Humans are unique among the primates in their ability to form cooperative alliances between groups in the absence of consanguineal ties. We propose that this unique form of social organization is predicated on music and dance. Music and dance may have evolved as a coalition signaling system that could, among other things, credibly communicate coalition quality, thus permitting meaningful cooperative relationships between groups. This capability may have evolved from coordinated territorial defense signals that are common in many social species, including chimpanzees. We present a study in which manipulation of music synchrony significantly altered subjects' perceptions of music quality, and in which subjects' perceptions of music quality were correlated with their perceptions of coalition quality, supporting our hypothesis. Our hypothesis also has implications for the evolution of psychological mechanisms underlying cultural production in other domains such as food

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“…(c) Host coercion as a theory of mutualism Our most important take-home message is that it is not necessary to invoke any of the mechanisms traditionally suggested as being important for the stability of mutualisms, such as vertical transmission, reciprocity or partner selection (Axelrod & Hamilton 1981;Bull & Rice 1991;reviewed in Herre et al 1999;Yu 2001). These mechanisms work by coupling the benefits and costs of cheating, such that one cannot enjoy the former without suffering the latter, but the mechanisms require partners to be able to recognize cheating behaviour or cheaters themselves, or they assume viscous populations.…”

Section: (B) Testing the Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oviposition strategies, host coercion and the stable exploitation of figs by wasps

Ridley

Jousselin

et al. 2004

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B

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A classic example of a mutualism is the one between fig plants (Ficus) and their specialized and obligate pollinating wasps. The wasps deposit eggs in fig ovules, which the larvae then consume. Because the wasps derive their fitness only from consumed seeds, this mutualism can persist only if the wasps are prevented from laying eggs in all ovules. The search for mechanisms that can limit oviposition and stabilize the wasp-seed conflict has spanned more than three decades. We use a simple foraging model, parameterized with data from two Ficus species, to show how fig morphology reduces oviposition rates and helps to resolve the wasp-seed conflict. We also propose additional mechanisms, based on known aspects of fig biology, which can prevent even large numbers of wasps from ovipositing in all ovules. It has been suggested that in mutualistic symbioses, the partner that controls the physical resources, in this case Ficus, ultimately controls the rate at which hosts are converted to visitors, regardless of relative evolutionary rates. Our approach provides a mechanistic implementation of this idea, with potential applications to other mutualisms and to theories of virulence.

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Distinguishing mechanisms for the evolution of co-operation

Cited by 442 publications

References 19 publications

A shift to parasitism in the jellyfish symbiont Symbiodinium microadriaticum

A shift to parasitism in the jellyfish symbiont Symbiodinium microadriaticum

Music and dance as a coalition signaling system

Oviposition strategies, host coercion and the stable exploitation of figs by wasps

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