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arXiv · 1701.03883

Evolutionary stability and the rarity of grandmothering

Jared M. Field·Michael B. Bonsall
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Abstract

The provision of intergenerational care, via the Grandmother Hypothesis, has been implicated in the evolution of post-fertile longevity, particularly in humans. However, if grandmothering does provide fitness benefits, a key question is why has it evolved so infrequently? We investigate this question with a combination of life-history and evolutionary game theory. We derive simple eligibility and stability thresholds, both of which must be satisfied if intergenerational care is first to evolve and then to persist in a population. As one threshold becomes easier to fulfill, the other becomes more difficult, revealing a conflict between the two. As such, we suggest that, in fact, we should expect the evolution of grandmothering to be rare.

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Jared M. Field, Michael B. Bonsall. 2017-01-14. Evolutionary stability and the rarity of grandmothering. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.2958

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