READING NOTES - Chapter 7

Life history

The major events related to the growth, development, reproduction, and survival of an organism.

Phenotypic plasticity

The phenomenon where a single genotype produces different phenotypes under different environmental conditions.

Clownfish family hierarchy

In clownfish, the largest fish is the female, the second largest is the breeding male, and the remaining are nonbreeding individuals.

Trade-off between offspring size and number

Many organisms exhibit a trade-off where investing more in fewer offspring results in larger offspring, while fewer resources lead to more, smaller offspring.

Lack clutch size

The maximum number of offspring that a parent can successfully raise to maturity, proposed by Lack based on the trade-off between number and resource provisioning.

Semelparous species

Species that reproduce only once in their lifetime.

Iteroparous species

Species that have the capacity for multiple bouts of reproduction during their lifetime.

r-selection

Selection for high population growth rates, typically occurring in environments with low population density.

K-selection

Selection for slower rates of increase, occurring in populations that are at or approaching their carrying capacity.

Complex life cycles

Life cycles that include distinct stages differing in habitat, physiology, or morphology, often helping to reduce competition within the species.

Dispersal

The movement of organisms or propagules from their birthplace, an essential feature in the life history of organisms.

Asexual reproduction

A type of reproduction where organisms produce offspring without meiosis and fertilization, often via binary fission.

Anisogamy

A type of sexual reproduction involving two distinct types of gametes that differ in size.

Reproductive investment

The resources invested in propagules (like eggs or seeds) and the care of offspring, which can vary significantly across species.

Trade-offs in life history traits

Decisions organisms must make regarding energy allocation between growth, reproduction, and defense.

Environmental adaptation

The adjustments organisms make in response to varying environmental conditions, influencing their life history traits.