Page |20 Earth, only 2 million of which have been less fit so that the group might survive. identified thus far. Most of the species Subsequent generations of evolutionary identified are either born with the biologists realized that even though capacity to find sustenance and avoid genes might act as if selfish, the vehicle predation sufficiently well that some responsible for the transport of these survive long enough to reproduce, or genes to the gene pool occasionally they are born in such large numbers that extended beyond the individual or parent some survive long enough to reproduce. to kin and even to unrelated members of It is the ability of such organisms to groups. More specifically, in some cases reproduce that determines what genes the superorganismal structures formed constitute the gene pool for the future by social organisms represent naturally generations of that species. These genes, selected levels of organization above in turn, shape the structure and function individual organisms (4). of the organisms that constitute a Consider the example of the species. This reasoning led George E , . ne mperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri). Williams (2) to suggest a half century : : : — ; Emperor penguins typically reside near ago that traits (1.e., behavioral . . . . ; their food source of squid, shoaling fish, tendencies) which benefit the group at . . Lae and small crustaceans but in early winter the expense of the individual would . : . . they gather into breeding colonies evolve only if the process of group- ' an , ; ; (rookeries) up to 60 miles inland in April selection was great enough to overcome : 7 . Sat and May during the Antarctic winter. selection within groups. He further 5 _ They search for their mate from the suggested that group selection is nearly . previous year, and go through a always weak, so that group-related Son od . . ; ; courtship ritual before mating. The adaptations do not exist (3). Richard f : . . . emale lays only one