Social trajectories and the evolution of social behavior

Current research oil the evolution Of sociality seeks, to integrate a wealth of species-specific studies to draw more generalize conclusions. Developing a unified theory of social evolution has been a challenging process. hampered by the inherent complexity of social systems. By viewing a species social structure as the result of a series or "trajectory" of individuals make about whether or not to disperse from their natal territory. whether to co-breed Or refrain front breeding. and whether or not to provide alloparental care, can more easily evaluate whether selective factor, influencing each social decision arc similar across taxa. At file same time, the,social trajectory framework highlights the interrelationship. among different Social decision both throughout the life of an individual and over evolutionary time. There are likely to be multiple unifying themes within socialite research: we cope that the,simple framework outlined here ill promote exchange between researchers across taxonomic disciplined, to begin to identify common principles.