Life-history and variation

Question 1

Name differences between static and cohort life-tables
and calculate survival/mortality parameters
from it.

Answer 1

1. Cohort Life Table follows a cohort of individuals from birth to death. Used to estimate the age-specific probabilities of survival.
2. Static Life Tables provide a snapshot of a population`s age structure from a sample at a given time.

Question 2

Describe in own words the r-K theory.

Answer 2

r-selected species: high rate of er capita population growth (r), but poor competitive ability.
K-selected species: stable populations adapted to exist at or near the capacity rate (K) of the environment.

Question 3

What are differences in reproductive and mating systems? Describe factors leading to differences.

Answer 3

Reproductive strategies:
- semelparity (producing offspring in one single event);
-iteroparity (reproducing at intervals thrioughout their life time).
Mating systems:
- polygony
- polyandry
- monogamy
- promisquity (many, many)