Molecular and regulatory properties of a public good shape the evolution of cooperation.

ABSTRACT: Public goods cooperation abounds in nature, occurring in organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. Although previous research focused on the behavioral and ecological conditions favoring cooperation, the question of whether the molecular and regulatory properties of the public good itself can influence selection for cooperation has received little attention. Using a metapopulation model, we show that extended molecular durability of a public good--allowing multiple reuse across generations--greatly reduces selection for cheating if (and only if) the production of the public good is facultatively regulated. To test the apparent synergy between public goods durability and facultative regulation, we examined the production of iron-scavenging pyoverdin molecules by the bacterium Pseudomonas a

SUBMITTER: Kummerli R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2973908 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature