A Primer of Life Histories

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey A. Hutchings
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Life History Theory ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Academic Experience ◽  
Sustainable Exploitation ◽  
Evolution Of Life ◽  
Opportune Time

Life histories describe how genotypes schedule their reproductive effort throughout life in response to factors that affect their survival and fecundity. Life histories are solutions that selection has produced to solve the problem of how to persist in a given environment. These solutions differ tremendously within and among species. Some organisms mature within months of attaining life, others within decades; some produce few, large offspring as opposed to numerous, small offspring; some reproduce many times throughout their lives while others die after reproducing just once. The exponential pace of life-history research provides an opportune time to engage and re-engage new generations of students and researchers on the fundamentals and applications of life-history theory. Chapters 1 through 4 describe the fundamentals of life-history theory. Chapters 5 through 8 focus on the evolution of life-history traits. Chapters 9 and 10 summarize how life-history theory and prediction has been applied within the contexts of conservation and sustainable exploitation. This primer offers an effective means of rendering the topic accessible to readers from a broad range of academic experience and research expertise.

Life histories of North American game birds: a reanalysis

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (8) ◽  
pp. 1906-1912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd W. Arnold
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
North American ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
Cost Of Reproduction ◽  
Reproductive Value ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Game Birds ◽  
The Cost

Recently, Zammuto (R. M. Zammuto. 1986. Can. J. Zool. 64: 2739–2749) suggested that North American game birds exhibited survival–fecundity trade-offs consistent with the "cost of reproduction" hypothesis. However, there were four serious problems with the data and the analyses that Zammuto used: (i) the species chosen for analysis ("game birds") showed little taxonomic or ecological uniformity, (ii) the measures of future reproductive value (maximum longevity) were severely biased by unequal sample sizes of band recoveries, (iii) the measures of current reproductive effort (clutch sizes) were inappropriate given that most of the birds analyzed produce self-feeding precocial offspring, and (iv) the statistical units used in the majority of analyses (species) were not statistically independent with respect to higher level taxonomy. After correcting these problems, I found little evidence of survival–fecundity trade-offs among precocial game birds, and I attribute most of the explainable variation in life-history traits of these birds to allometry, phylogeny, and geography.

scholarly journals Between semelparity and iteroparity: empirical evidence for a continuum of modes of parity

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. William Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Mathematical Models ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Life History Theory ◽  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
Theoretical Biology ◽  
Relative Fitness ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Molecular Evidence

ABSTRACTThe number of times an organism reproduces (i.e. its mode of parity) is a fundamental life-history character, and evolutionary and ecological models that compare the relative fitness of strategies are common in life history theory and theoretical biology. Despite the success of mathematical models designed to compare intrinsic rates of increase between annual-semelparous and perennial-iteroparous reproductive schedules, there is widespread evidence that variation in reproductive allocation among semelparous and iteroparous organisms alike is continuous. This paper reviews the ecological and molecular evidence for the continuity and plasticity of modes of parity––that is, the idea that annual-semelparous and perennial-iteroparous life histories are better understood as endpoints along a continuum of possible strategies. I conclude that parity should be understood as a continuum of different modes of parity, which differ by the degree to which they disperse or concentrate reproductive effort in time. I further argue that there are three main implications of this conclusion: (1) That seasonality should not be conflated with parity; (2) that mathematical models purporting to explain the evolution of semelparous life histories from iteroparous ones (or vice versa) should not assume that organisms can only display either an annual-semelparous life history or a perennial-iteroparous one; and (3) that evolutionary ecologists should examine the physiological or molecular basis of traits underlying different modes of parity, in order to obtain a general understanding of how different life history strategies can evolve from one another.

scholarly journals The Phylogenetic Approach to Avian Life Histories: An Important Complement to Within-Population Studies

The Condor ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Winkler
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Statistical Convergence ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Life History Evolution ◽  
Life History Variation ◽  
Evolution Of Life ◽  
Character Variation

Abstract In recent years, two approaches have emerged for the analysis of character evolution: the largely statistical “convergence” approach and the mainly cladistic “homology” approach. I discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches as they apply to phylogenetic analyses of life-history variation in birds. Using examples from analyses of character variation in swallows, I suggest that the phylogenetic approach yields distinctive insights into the selective role of the environment and other characters of the organism on the evolution of life-history traits. This view thus has the potential of bringing together micro- and macro-evolutionary views of life-history evolution.

Variation in the reproductive rate of bats

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 688-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert M.R Barclay ◽  
Joel Ulmer ◽  
Cameron J.A MacKenzie ◽  
Megan S Thompson ◽  
Leif Olson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Life History Theory ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Reproductive Rate ◽  
Tropical Species ◽  
Allocation Of Resources ◽  
Reproductive Rates

In many respects, bats have relatively slow life histories. However, the reproductive rate of bats (i.e., the proportion of females that reproduce in any breeding season) has not been critically examined. We compiled data on the reproductive rates of bats to test predictions based on life-history theory. Among 257 samples from 103 species, reproductive rate varied considerably and was typically under 100%. Temperate-zone species had significantly lower and more variable reproductive rates than did tropical species. Reproductive rate also varied among families, with species in the Vespertilionidae having particularly high rates. As predicted based on life-history theory, reproductive rate was negatively correlated with longevity, and among vespertilionids, species with larger litters had higher reproductive rates. Thus, the data suggest that bats have relatively slow reproductive rates and, as in other life-history traits, fall at the "slow" end of the fast–slow life-history continuum found among mammals. Female bats, especially those in temperate regions, appear to adjust their allocation of resources to reproduction, and at times forego reproduction, perhaps in relation to their body condition, prey availability, and weather conditions.

Life-history plasticity in hosts (Lymnaea elodes) exposed to differing resources and parasitism

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (10) ◽  
pp. 1672-1677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory J Sandland ◽  
Dennis J Minchella
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Phenotypic Expression ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Evolution Of Life ◽  
Host Growth ◽  
Lymnaea Elodes ◽  
Multifactorial Approach

Assessing phenotypic expression across environments is essential for understanding the evolution of life histories, yet relatively few studies have empirically determined the role that multiple environmental factors play in altering animal phenotypes. We used a multifactorial approach to investigate the effects of both infection of Echinostoma revolutum (Frölich, 1802) and nutrient availability on phenotypic expressions in lines of the snail Lymnaea elodes (Say, 1821). Lines were initially established via selfing events followed by breeding (within lines) over the next four generations. Juveniles from each line were then size-matched and randomly exposed to parasite (exposed / sham-exposed) and diet (high protein / low protein) treatments, generating a 2 (line) × 2 (diet) × 2 (exposure) factorial design. Snail growth, reproduction, and survival were monitored over 5 weeks. Analyses revealed an interactive effect of host line and infection status on host growth. Main effects of both snail line and diet also significantly influenced host growth. Reproductive patterns differed between lines, with snails from one line producing egg masses and eggs in all treatments, and snails from the second line producing minimal eggs in only a single treatment. Snail survival remained similar between snail lines. Results from this study suggest that snail life-history traits can vary dramatically as a result of host genetics, the environment, and the interaction between these factors. Reasons for the occurrence and maintenance of this variability in life-history traits are discussed.

scholarly journals Repeated evolution of viviparity in phrynosomatid lizards constrained interspecific diversification in some life-history traits

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 20160653 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Jaime Zúñiga-Vega ◽  
Jesualdo A. Fuentes-G. ◽  
Alison G. Ossip-Drahos ◽  
Emília P. Martins
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Evolutionary Rates ◽  
Phylogenetic Comparative Methods ◽  
American Family ◽  
The North ◽  
Evolution Of Life ◽  
Speciation Rates ◽  
Repeated Evolution

In vertebrates, viviparity has evolved independently multiple times, apparently increasing morphological diversification and speciation rates as a consequence. We tested whether the evolution of viviparity has also increased diversification of life-history traits by estimating evolutionary rates of lizards from the North American family Phrynosomatidae. Using modern phylogenetic comparative methods, we compared these rates between oviparous and viviparous species, and found no support for this hypothesis. Instead, we found higher evolutionary rates for oviparous species in some life-history traits. Our results suggest that the evolution of viviparity may have constrained rather than facilitated evolution of life histories.

Life History Variations of Anadromous Cisco (Coregonus artedii), Lake Whitefish (C. clupeaformis), and Round Whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum) Populations of Eastern James–Hudson Bay

1982 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 958-967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roderick Morin ◽  
Julian J. Dodson ◽  
Geoffrey Power
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
North American ◽  
Life History Theory ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
Hudson Bay ◽  
Lake Whitefish ◽  
The North ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
Coregonus Artedii

Differences in life history among three species of anadromous coregonines from La Grande River, James Bay, were significant with lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) and round whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum) displaying reproductive patterns more typical of harsh northern environments and characteristic of "K-selection," relative to cisco (Coregonus artedii). Interspecific differences at La Grande River were more apparent than intraspecific differences in life history traits of cisco and lake whitefish over the James–Hudson Bay range. Although cisco exhibit decreasing reproductive effort independent of growth over the North American range, thus conforming to life history theory, both growth and reproductive effort are reduced northwards over their James–Hudson Bay range. The observations suggest that physiological constraints related to the shorter growing season at the northern limit of cisco's coastal Hudson Bay range may overwhelm expected coadapted life history traits. Lake whitefish exhibit reduced reproductive effort independent of variations in growth northwards over their North American and James–Hudson Bay coastal range; this suggests coadaptation of life history traits that permit survival at northern sites.Key words: reproduction, growth, life history theory, anadromous coregonines, James–Hudson Bay

Hormones and Behavior

2019 ◽  
pp. 11-26
Author(s):  
Maren N. Vitousek ◽  
Laura A. Schoenle
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Developmental Plasticity ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
And Behavior

Hormones mediate the expression of life history traits—phenotypic traits that contribute to lifetime fitness (i.e., reproductive timing, growth rate, number and size of offspring). The endocrine system shapes phenotype by organizing tissues during developmental periods and by activating changes in behavior, physiology, and morphology in response to varying physical and social environments. Because hormones can simultaneously regulate many traits (hormonal pleiotropy), they are important mediators of life history trade-offs among growth, reproduction, and survival. This chapter reviews the role of hormones in shaping life histories with an emphasis on developmental plasticity and reversible flexibility in endocrine and life history traits. It also discusses the advantages of studying hormone–behavior interactions from an evolutionary perspective. Recent research in evolutionary endocrinology has provided insight into the heritability of endocrine traits, how selection on hormone systems may influence the evolution of life histories, and the role of hormonal pleiotropy in driving or constraining evolution.

Sexual size dimorphism and life history traits in an island-mainland system: an overview of the lizard genus Microlophus

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Ken S. Toyama ◽  
Christopher K. Boccia
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
South America ◽  
Life History Theory ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Sexual Size Dimorphism ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Galápagos Islands ◽  
Size Dimorphism ◽  
Rensch's Rule ◽  
Comprehensive Compilation

Abstract Opposing life history strategies are a common result of the different ecological settings experienced by insular and continental species. Here we present a comprehensive compilation of data on sexual size dimorphism (SSD) and life history traits of Microlophus, a genus of lizards distributed in western South America and the Galápagos Islands, and test for differences between insular and continental species under life history theory expectations. Contrary to our predictions, we found no differences in SSD between localities or evidence that Microlophus follows Rensch’s rule. However, as expected, head dimensions and maturity sizes were significantly larger in insular species while continental species had larger clutches. Our results show that Microlophus exhibits some of the patterns expected from an island-mainland system, but unexplained patterns will only be resolved through future ecological, morphological and behavioural studies integrating both faunas.

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