Vertical Transmission
Vertical transmission aligning interests translates to equity partnerships, revenue sharing, and joint ventures where partners' financial fates are linked.
Selection favors Buchnera that enhance aphid reproduction, because that's the only way Buchnera genes persist.
When mutualistic partners are transmitted together from one generation to the next, their reproductive interests align. Endosymbiotic bacteria (living within host cells) are often vertically transmitted - passed from mother to offspring within egg cytoplasm. Because the bacteria's reproductive success depends entirely on host reproduction, selection favors bacteria enhancing host fitness.
Aphids pass endosymbiotic Buchnera bacteria to offspring within eggs - their only path to the next generation runs through their host's reproduction. When the aphid reproduces successfully, Buchnera reproduce. This creates perfect alignment of evolutionary interests - conflict becomes evolutionarily irrational.
Business Application of Vertical Transmission
Vertical transmission aligning interests translates to equity partnerships, revenue sharing, and joint ventures where partners' financial fates are linked. Platform developers sharing in platform success exemplifies this principle.