Evolution of social “cognitive cell” adaptations in unicellular organisms with complex mating traits
Social intelligences and goal-directed behaviors of mate selection show conservation throughout phylogeny, from unicellular to multicellular life. Some microbes co-evolved somatic ornaments and weapons, behavioral courtship and dominance routines, and decision-making logics that facilitate mate choice, rival deterrence, and monogamy, gating spread of inferior genes from promiscuous unions. Such "cognitive cell" adaptations help microbes direct niche evolution for improved survival.
Authors
- Kevin B. Clark (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0544-2150)
Institutions
- Ames Research Center (US)
- United States Institute of Peace (US)
- National Ecological Observatory Network (US)
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (US)
- California University of Pennsylvania (US)
- Cures Within Reach (US)
- Max Planck Graduate Center (DE)
- Carnegie Mellon University (US)
- Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (US)
- Stanford University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Behavioral and Brain Sciences
- Published
- 2025-01-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s0140525x25100812
- Primary Topic
- Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00