Life histories

Question 1

What are life histories?

Answer 1

Patterns of survival and reproduction

Traits that affect survival and reproduction

Question 2

What are the traits related to growth?

Answer 2

Size at birth, age and size at maturity

Question 3

What are the traits related to reproduction and longevity?

Answer 3

Age and size at maturity
Size and sex ratio of offspring
Age and size at reproductive events

Question 4

What 3 factors are in the fitness equation?

Answer 4

Number of offspring
Quality of offspring
Adult lifespan

Question 5

Dogs are the exception to what general rule?

Answer 5

Lifespan increases with body size

Question 6

What is the trade-off theory?

Answer 6

There is a trade-off between reproduction and longevity

Earlier reproduction = shorter lifespan

Question 7

Do animals with fast life histories reproduce early or late? What size litter do they have?

Answer 7

Reproduce early

Large litter size (altricial)

Question 8

Do animals with slow life histories reproduce early or late? What size litter do they have?

Answer 8

Reproduce late

Small litter size (precocial)

Question 9

What are the benefits of early maturity?

Answer 9

Higher probability of surviving and able to reproduce

Higher potential reproductive success by starting early

Question 10

What are the benefits of late maturity?

Answer 10

Can grow larger

Can invest more in offspring