Imagine that a ground squirrel can warn its nearby relatives…
Imagine that a ground squirrel can warn its nearby relatives of an approaching predator by giving a loud alarm call, which increases the survival chances of its relatives. However, by giving the alarm, the squirrel significantly increases its own risk of being caught by the predator. The coefficient of relatedness (r) between the squirrel and its relatives is 0.25, and the benefit (B) to the relatives (in terms of survival increase) is 4 units. The cost (C) to the squirrel for giving the alarm (in terms of increased predation risk) is 3 units. Based on Hamilton’s Rule (rB>C), should the squirrel give the alarm?