Kin selection for cooperation in natural bacterial populations

Abstract

Significance Bacteria secrete many molecules outside the cell, where they provide benefits to other cells. One potential reason for producing these “public goods” is that they benefit closely related cells that share the gene for cooperation (kin selection). While many laboratory studies have supported this hypothesis, there is a lack of evidence that kin selection favors cooperation in natural populations. We examined bacterial genomes from the environment and used population genetics theory to analyze the DNA sequences. Our analyses suggest that public goods cooperation has indeed been favored by kin selection in natural populations.