Question

Under what circumstances would natural selection favor an individual to be sterile and not reproduce?

A) When they are the last surviving member of their species
B) In populations with low genetic relatedness
C) In eusocial species with a highly related colony
D) When they have a high reproductive output

Answer 1

Natural selection may favor sterility in individuals that are part of eusocial species with highly related colonies due to the benefits of kin selection and inclusive fitness. The correct option is C.

Step-by-step explanation:

Under certain conditions, natural selection may favor individuals that are sterile and do not reproduce. This is particularly evident in eusocial species such as bees, wasps, ants, and termites. In these species, sterile individuals work to support the reproductive queen, who is closely related to them.

Hence, even without producing their own offspring, these sterile workers contribute to the passing on of their shared genes indirectly. This is a concept known as kin selection, where the lowering of individual fitness to enhance the reproductive fitness of a relative increases one's inclusive fitness.

The correct option that describes when natural selection might favor sterility in an individual is therefore: C) In eusocial species with a highly related colony.