Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/K009524/1
Understanding major transitions in individuality
Fellowship Award
- Fellow:
- Professor A Gardner, University of St Andrews, Biology
- Grant held at:
- University of St Andrews, Biology
- Science Area:
- Earth
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Earth
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Natural Resource Management
- Science Topics:
- Altruism
- Social behaviour
- Animal behaviour
- Insects
- Animal organisms
- Behavioural Ecology
- Adaptation
- Evolution & populations
- Abstract:
- Major transitions in individuality occur when a group of separate organisms evolves into a higher-level organism in its own right. For example, the ancestors of the social insects used to live a solitary existence, but today they form highly elaborate, cooperative societies that can be considered "superorganisms" in their own right. Current theory describing major transitions in individuality highlights the importance of clonal reproduction and systems of policing in maintaining the integrity of the superorganism. However, the social insects appear to have evolved a higher level of individuality on the basis of strict lifetime monogamy, which has abolished conflicts of interest within the colony. I will develop new theory to incorporate this monogamy hypothesis into the theory of major transitions in individuality, and I will investigate how the quirky genetics of some species can lead to other forms of conflict arising within their societies.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/K009524/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Research Fellowship
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- IRF
This fellowship award has a total value of £511,642
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| DI - Other Costs | Indirect - Indirect Costs | DI - Staff | DA - Estate Costs | DA - Other Directly Allocated | DI - T&S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £14,951 | £192,222 | £226,663 | £61,574 | £3,825 | £12,410 |
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