Life Histories and Population Dynamics

Gametic life cycle

Life cycle with only haploid gametes produced.

Zygotic life cycle

Life cycle where zygote is the only diploid stage.

Sporic life cycle

Life cycle with both haploid and diploid multicellular stages.

Asexual reproduction

Genetically identical offspring produced from one parent.

Sexual reproduction

Offspring from genetic combination of two parents.

Life history

Schedule of growth and reproduction in organisms.

Principle of Allocation

Trade-offs in energy use for growth and reproduction.

Trade-offs

Choices made between competing biological factors.

Courtship

Behavioral displays to attract mates for reproduction.

Gamete production

Process of producing sperm and eggs.

Parental care

Investment of resources in offspring post-birth.

Large offspring strategy

Fewer offspring produced, larger size at birth.

Small offspring strategy

Many offspring produced, smaller size at birth.

Adult mortality rate

Rate at which adults die in a population.

Demography

Study of population dynamics, including birth and death rates.

Growth rate (r)

Calculated as r = b - d (birth rate - death rate).

Life table

Summarizes age-specific demographic data of a population.

Cohort Life Table

Tracks individuals born at the same time until death.

Static Life Table

Snapshot of demographic data at one point in time.

Age Distribution

Proportion of individuals in various age classes.

Survivorship (Lx)

Proportion of individuals surviving to a specific age.

Type I curve

High survival in early and middle life stages.

Type II curve

Constant survival rate throughout life stages.

Type III curve

High juvenile mortality, followed by increased survival.

Fecundity

Reproductive rate of an organism.

Mortality rate

Frequency of death within a population.

Population dynamics

Changes in population size and structure over time.