The success of altruistic behavior hinges on the ability to distinguish kin from unrelated individuals.Hamilton proposed that an allele that produces a distinctive trait (i.e.,the greenbeard effect),along with altruistic behavior directed at the bearers of this trait,could drive such an altruistic allele to high frequencies in a population.This scenario has been discovered and studied in ________.
A) black-tailed prairie dogs
B) red squirrels
C) Belding's ground squirrel
D) slime molds

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The greenbeard effect, as described by Hamilton, has been observed and studied in slime molds. In these organisms, certain genes produce both a recognizable trait and the tendency to exhibit altruism towards others with that trait, supporting the theory's predictions.

The Success of Altruistic Behavior Hinges on the Ability to Distinguish