Symmetry-based reciprocity: evolutionary constraints on a proximate mechanism
Background. While the evolution of reciprocal cooperation has attracted an enormous attention, the proximate mechanisms underlying the ability of animals to cooperate reciprocally are comparatively neglected. Symmetry-based reciprocity is a hypothetical proximate mechanism that has been suggested to...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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PeerJ Inc.
2016-03-01
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| Series: | PeerJ |
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| Online Access: | https://peerj.com/articles/1812.pdf |
| _version_ | 1797421896711536640 |
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| author | Marco Campennì Gabriele Schino |
| author_facet | Marco Campennì Gabriele Schino |
| author_sort | Marco Campennì |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background. While the evolution of reciprocal cooperation has attracted an enormous attention, the proximate mechanisms underlying the ability of animals to cooperate reciprocally are comparatively neglected. Symmetry-based reciprocity is a hypothetical proximate mechanism that has been suggested to be widespread among cognitively unsophisticated animals. Methods. We developed two agent-based models of symmetry-based reciprocity (one relying on an arbitrary tag and the other on interindividual proximity) and tested their ability both to reproduce significant emergent features of cooperation in group living animals and to promote the evolution of cooperation. Results. Populations formed by agents adopting symmetry-based reciprocity showed differentiated “social relationships” and a positive correlation between cooperation given and received: two common aspects of animal cooperation. However, when reproduction and selection across multiple generations were added to the models, agents adopting symmetry-based reciprocity were outcompeted by selfish agents that never cooperated. Discussion. In order to evolve, hypothetical proximate mechanisms must be able to stand competition from alternative strategies. While the results of our simulations require confirmation using analytical methods, we provisionally suggest symmetry-based reciprocity is to be abandoned as a possible proximate mechanism underlying the ability of animals to reciprocate cooperative interactions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T07:24:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-771333e6a7324a1399ad8709c4d2f02e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2167-8359 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T07:24:07Z |
| publishDate | 2016-03-01 |
| publisher | PeerJ Inc. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PeerJ |
| spelling | doaj.art-771333e6a7324a1399ad8709c4d2f02e2023-12-03T07:08:51ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592016-03-014e181210.7717/peerj.1812Symmetry-based reciprocity: evolutionary constraints on a proximate mechanismMarco Campennì0Gabriele Schino1Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholms Universitet, Stockholm, SwedenIstituto di Scienze e Tecnologie della Cognizione, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome, ItalyBackground. While the evolution of reciprocal cooperation has attracted an enormous attention, the proximate mechanisms underlying the ability of animals to cooperate reciprocally are comparatively neglected. Symmetry-based reciprocity is a hypothetical proximate mechanism that has been suggested to be widespread among cognitively unsophisticated animals. Methods. We developed two agent-based models of symmetry-based reciprocity (one relying on an arbitrary tag and the other on interindividual proximity) and tested their ability both to reproduce significant emergent features of cooperation in group living animals and to promote the evolution of cooperation. Results. Populations formed by agents adopting symmetry-based reciprocity showed differentiated “social relationships” and a positive correlation between cooperation given and received: two common aspects of animal cooperation. However, when reproduction and selection across multiple generations were added to the models, agents adopting symmetry-based reciprocity were outcompeted by selfish agents that never cooperated. Discussion. In order to evolve, hypothetical proximate mechanisms must be able to stand competition from alternative strategies. While the results of our simulations require confirmation using analytical methods, we provisionally suggest symmetry-based reciprocity is to be abandoned as a possible proximate mechanism underlying the ability of animals to reciprocate cooperative interactions.https://peerj.com/articles/1812.pdfReciprocityProximate mechanismsEvolutionAgent-based models |
| spellingShingle | Marco Campennì Gabriele Schino Symmetry-based reciprocity: evolutionary constraints on a proximate mechanism PeerJ Reciprocity Proximate mechanisms Evolution Agent-based models |
| title | Symmetry-based reciprocity: evolutionary constraints on a proximate mechanism |
| title_full | Symmetry-based reciprocity: evolutionary constraints on a proximate mechanism |
| title_fullStr | Symmetry-based reciprocity: evolutionary constraints on a proximate mechanism |
| title_full_unstemmed | Symmetry-based reciprocity: evolutionary constraints on a proximate mechanism |
| title_short | Symmetry-based reciprocity: evolutionary constraints on a proximate mechanism |
| title_sort | symmetry based reciprocity evolutionary constraints on a proximate mechanism |
| topic | Reciprocity Proximate mechanisms Evolution Agent-based models |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/1812.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT marcocampenni symmetrybasedreciprocityevolutionaryconstraintsonaproximatemechanism AT gabrieleschino symmetrybasedreciprocityevolutionaryconstraintsonaproximatemechanism |