The Optimal Balance between Size and Number of Offspring

Smith, Christopher C.; Fretwell, Stephen D.

doi:10.1086/282929

Cited by 2,585 publications

(2,253 citation statements)

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“…The tradeoff between offspring weight and number has been a foundation of much of the theoretical work on life history patterns (Smith and Fretwell 1974;Wilbur 1977). Many authors have observed an inverse relationship between offspring size and number in diverse plant species (Jakobsson and Eriksson 2000;Leishman et al 2000;Abrahamson and Layne 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do ecological and silvicultural factors influence acorn mass in Holm Oak (southwestern Spain)?

et al. 2011

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The effect of orientation, location, year, and pruning treatment on mean acorn mass in two open woodland experimental locations (Huelva, South-Western Spain) of Holm Oak (Quercus ilex L. subsp. ballota [Desf.] Samp.) was analyzed during [2001][2002][2003][2004][2005][2006]. Data were analyzed by using a mixed linear model, where the covariates were tree size parameters (circumference at 80 cm height, crown size), topographic position (wet index and flow length), intraspecific competition, total acorn crops per tree (weight and number), and climatic parameters. Average estimated acorn mass was 3.17 g acorn -1 in the Calañas location and 4.12 g acorn -1 in the San Bartolomé location, with significant differences between locations, among individual trees and across years. Acorns from the south sides of trees were significantly heavier than those at other positions. The effect of pruning treatment and the interactions location 9 treatment and treatment 9 year were not significant. Our study provides no evidence that pruning affects acorn mass. None of the analyzed covariates related to tree size, topographic position and intraspecific competition explained the difference among trees, suggesting that heritable factors play an important role. Specific climatic parameters during September, the most important month for acorn growth, may explain the effects of year and location 9 year on acorn mass. In addition, there appeared to be a ''trade-off'' between acorn mass and number of acorns.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do ecological and silvicultural factors influence acorn mass in Holm Oak (southwestern Spain)?

et al. 2011

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“…Such conditions may include harsh and unpredictable ecological environments due to the obvious benefits of care to offspring survival (Wilson 1971(Wilson , 1975Tallamy 1984;Tallamy and Wood 1986;Clutton-Brock 1991). However, parental care only evolves under these conditions if the experienced parental fecundity costs under these same conditions do not outweigh offspring benefits (Trivers 1972;Smith and Fretwell 1974;Clutton-Brock 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Benefits and costs of earwig (Forficula auricularia) family life

Kölliker

2007

Behav Ecol Sociobiol

125

200

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The evolution of parental care and family group formation critically depends on offspring survival benefits and parental fecundity costs of care under given ecological conditions. Investigations of the functional significance of care in insect species that exhibit facultative parental care have been relatively rare but may be of particular interest for better understanding of benefit and cost schedules at an early evolutionary stage. In this study, aspects of benefits and costs of care were addressed in the sub-social European earwig (Forficula auricularia; Dermaptera: Forficulidae) by manipulating the presence of tending mothers and brood size in a fully crossed experimental design. Larvae growing in broods tended by their mother or of reduced size showed a higher survival probability than larvae growing in untended or large broods, as predicted if maternal care is beneficial and shaped by a trade-off between number and quality of offspring. Analysis of patterns of food consumption and developmental time further suggested that the benefit of maternal attendance is mediated by the maternal provisioning of food, while the quality-quantity trade-off seemed to be driven by sibling rivalry. Further, tending mothers delayed the production of a second clutch, indicating a potential cost of care in terms of lifetime fecundity. This study experimentally shows benefits and potential costs of maternal care and family group formation in the European earwig. More detailed behavioural experiments will be required to fully understand how behavioural interactions among family members mediate these reproductive outcomes.

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“…The influence of brood size on parasitoids' growth and development has often been explored on the basis of competition among brood mates for limited resources (Smith & Fretwell 1974;Godfray 1994). There are trade-offs between brood size and the fitness of parasitoids.…”

Section: R Esumenmentioning

confidence: 99%