Genetic differentiation and the evolution of cooperation in chimpanzees and humans

Abstract

It has been proposed that human cooperation is unique among animals for its scale and complexity, its altruistic nature and its occurrence among large groups of individuals that are not closely related or are even strangers. One potential solution to this puzzle is that the unique aspects of human cooperation evolved as a result of high levels of lethal competition (i.e. warfare) between genetically differentiated groups. Although between-group migration would seem to make this scenario unlikely, the plausibility of the between-group competition model has recently been supported by analyses using estimates of genetic differentiation derived from contemporary human groups hypothesized to be representative of those that existed during the time period when human cooperation evolved. Here, we examine levels of between-group genetic differentiation in a large sample of contemporary human groups selected to overcome some of the problems with earlier estimates, and compare them with those of chimpanzees. We find that our estimates of between-group genetic differentiation in contemporary humans are lower than those used in previous tests, and not higher than those of chimpanzees. Because levels of between-group competition in contemporary humans and chimpanzees are also similar, these findings suggest that the identification of other factors that differ between chimpanzees and humans may be needed to provide a compelling explanation of why humans, but not chimpanzees, display the unique features of human cooperation.

The Conditions Favoring Between-Community Raiding in Chimpanzees, Bonobos, and Human Foragers

“…Macfarlan et al 2014), perhaps as a result of the relatively low reproductive skew. This is consistent with the low genetic differentiation between neighboring communities (Langergraber et al 2011). Thus, the assumption of low relatedness among males is probably justified.…”

Distribution of a Chimpanzee Social Custom Is Explained by Matrilineal Relationship Rather Than Conformity

“…Current evidence indicates a role for social learning, but genetic influences are also plausible since they have not been ruled out for behavioral variants among chimpanzee communities even where some degree of social learning is known to occur [13,14]. Comparison with patrilineal relationships will eventually afford a test of genetic influences.…”

Origins of Human Cooperation and Morality

“…First, as in many mammalian species, individuals form alliances and support one another in fights (Harcourt & de Waal 1992). Whereas in many monkey species it is typically kin that support one another, among chimpanzees it is mostly nonkin (Langergraber et al 2011). Again as in many mammalian species, great ape combatants often actively reconcile with one another after fights, presumably in an attempt to repair the long-term 234 Tomasello · Vaish relationship on which they both depend for various reasons (de Waal 1997).…”