Reciprocal_altruism Reciprocal_altruism

Reciprocal altruism - Definition

Related Words: Algorithmic, Ally, Analogous, Analogue, Beating, Brother, Cardinal, Coefficient, Cognate, Collaborative

Reciprocal altruism is a form of altruism in which one organism provides a benefit to another in the expectation of future reciprocation. It would only be expected to evolve in the presence of a mechanism to identify and punish "cheaters".

An example of reciprocal altruism is blood-sharing in the vampire bat.

See also: symbiosis.

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