In this article, a theoretical model of social empathic emotion is derived based on the principles of survival by extending the maximization of self-gains to include others as an extended-self. This extended-self model of optimization for survival provides the computational mechanisms in the optimization process to maximize self-gains without minimizing the gains (or maximizing losses) for the other individuals. Thus, it can resolve conflicts in a competitive environment, and change the social dynamics into a cooperative interaction instead.

In this article, freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity associated with lakes and ponds along the altitudinal gradient of a Magellanic sub-Antarctic watershed are assessed. A monotonic decline in species richness was observed with increasing elevation, with simpler and more even community composition at higher altitude. This pattern differs from the mid-peak trend found in streams of the same watershed. Functional feeding group structure also diminished with increasing elevation.