Network Theory and the Formation of Groups Without Evolutionary Forces

Abstract

This paper presents a modified random network model to illustrate how groups can form in the absence of evolutionary forces, assuming groups are collections of entities at any level of organization. This model is inspired by the Zero Force Evolutionary Law, which states that there is always a tendency for diversity and complexity to increase in any evolutionary system containing variation and heredity. That is, in the absence of evolutionary forces, the expectation is a continual increase in diversity and complexity at any level of biological hierarchy. I show that, when modeled, this expectation of increasing variation results not only in the formation of groups, but also in a higher probability of group formation than is found in a model that is purely random.

The relativity of Darwinian populations and the ecology of endosymbiosis

“…To recall, in algae, single cells co-operate to form groups in response to competitive interactions with predatory protists, because it reduces their chance of being eaten (Boraas et al 1998 ; Fisher et al 2016 ). Recently some researchers have suggested that the early stages of such a transition (formation of a group) might occur without the participation of natural selection (Fleming 2012 ; Fleming and Brandon 2015 ). As Fleming and Brandon ( 2015 ) put it, ‘Groups are expected to form based on the underlying tendency of evolutionary systems to increase in variance’.…”