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An Axiomatic Characterization of the MVSHN Group Fitness Ordering

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  • BOSSERT, Walter
  • QI, Chloe X.
  • WEYMARK, John A.

Abstract

In order to analyze a unicellular-multicellular evolutionary transition, a multicellular organism is identified with the vector of viabilities and fecundities of its constituent cells. The Michod–Viossat–Solari–Hurand–Nedelcu index of group fitness for a multicellular organism is a function of these cell viabilities and fecundities. The MVSHN index has been used to analyze the germ-soma specialization and the fitness decoupling between the cell and organism levels that takes place during the transition to multicellularity. In this article, social choice theory is used to provide an axiomatic characterization of the group fitness ordering of vectors of cell viabilities and fecundities underlying the MVSHN index.

Suggested Citation

  • BOSSERT, Walter & QI, Chloe X. & WEYMARK, John A., 2012. "An Axiomatic Characterization of the MVSHN Group Fitness Ordering," Cahiers de recherche 2012-13, Universite de Montreal, Departement de sciences economiques.
    • Handle: RePEc:mtl:montde:2012-13
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    4. Walter Bossert & Chloe X. Qi & John A. Weymark, 2012. "Extensive Social Choice and the Measurement of Group Fitness in Biological Hierarchies," Cahiers de recherche 08-2012, Centre interuniversitaire de recherche en économie quantitative, CIREQ.
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