Optimal semelparity.
Scholarly Edition
Semelparous organisms have a simple life cycle characterized by immediate death after reproduction. We assume that semelparous life histories can be separated into a juvenile non-reproductive period followed by an adult period during which reproduction is possible. We derive formulae for the optimal age and size at reproduction and for the optimal size of the offspring (e.g., seeds). Our main contribution is to determine the conditions under which the optimal size of the offspring does not depend on the optimal size at reproduction and vice versa.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Vaupel, JW; Missov, TI; Metcalf, CJE
Published Date
- January 2013
Start / End Page
- e57133 -
PubMed ID
- 23431401
Pubmed Central ID
- 23431401
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1371/journal.pone.0057133