Evolution Of Life Histories

"The Evolution of Life Histories" shows that natural selection is the principal underlying force moulding life history variation. The book describes in particular the ways in which variation can be analyzed and predicted. There are many different types of organisms in the world: they differ in size, physiology, appearance, and life history. The challenge for evolutionary biology is to explain how such diversity arises. This book does this by showing that natural selection is the principal underlying force moulding life history variation. The book describes in particular the ways in which variation can be analyzed and predicted. It covers both the genetic and optimization approaches to life history analysis and gives an overview of the general framework of life history theory and the mathematical tools by which predictions can be made and tested. Factors affecting the age schedule of birth and death and the costs of reproduction are discussed. The book concentrates on those theoretical developments that have been tested experimentally. It should interest both students and professionals in evolution, evolutionary ecology, mathematical and theoretical biology and zoology and entomology. This book should be of interest to undergraduate and graduate students and professionals in life science, biology, entomology, ecology, evolution and zoology.