Variation in generation time reveals density regulation as an important driver of pace of life in a bird metapopulation.
Ecol Lett
; 24(10): 2077-2087, 2021 Oct.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34312969
ABSTRACT
Generation time determines the pace of key demographic and evolutionary processes. Quantified as the weighted mean age at reproduction, it can be studied as a life-history trait that varies within and among populations and may evolve in response to ecological conditions. We combined quantitative genetic analyses with age- and density-dependent models to study generation time variation in a bird metapopulation. Generation time was heritable, and males had longer generation times than females. Individuals with longer generation times had greater lifetime reproductive success but not a higher expected population growth rate. Density regulation acted on recruit production, suggesting that longer generation times should be favoured when populations are closer to carrying capacity. Furthermore, generation times were shorter when populations were growing and longer when populations were closer to equilibrium or declining. These results support classic theory predicting that density regulation is an important driver of the pace of life-history strategies.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Evolución Biológica
/
Rasgos de la Historia de Vida
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Animals
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Female
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Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article