Read the scenario below and answer the question that follows.Some ant colonies consist of a queen, who performs all reproductive duties for the colony, and worker ants, who perform all the labor that the colony needs to gather food, expand and defend territory, and survive. The worker ants are also able to—but do not—contribute reproductively to the colony. In a colony like this, the worker ants will give their lives to defend the queen. What is the most likely explanation for the altruistic behavior of the worker ants?
Kin selection explains altruistic behavior that helps close relatives reproduce and pass on shared genes. The workers may not reproduce themselves, but protecting the queen supports the colony’s reproduction and benefits their relatedness-based genetic interests. Social exchange, social responsibility, and reciprocity norms do not best explain this kin-based behavior.
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