Life History Theory: Key Concepts and Strategies - Lecture 7

Explore the fundamental concepts of life history theory in this 35-minute lecture. Delve into key definitions and analytical frameworks used to explain inter- and intra-specific variations in organisms' life cycles. Examine the stages of life history and how they vary with latitude. Investigate Lack's optimal clutch hypothesis and factors influencing offspring numbers. Analyze environmental conditions, strategies, and survivorship curves. Discuss important trade-offs in life history, including age of first reproduction, parental experience, fecundity, survival, and adult fitness. Consider the relationships between growth, fecundity, and breeding frequency. Conclude by examining the concept of parental investment and its implications for life history strategies.

Intro
Key definitions
Life history theory • Analytical framework to explain inter- and intra-specific variation in
Stages of life history
Variation with latitude
Lack's optimal clutch hypothesis
How many offspring?
Environmental conditions
Strategies
Survivorship curves
Trade-offs
Age of first reproduction
Parental experience
Fecundity and survival
Adult fitness and fecundity
Growth and fecundity
How often to breed
Parental investment