Summary
Within many taxa the age of maturity is not simply positively correlated with the adult lifespan; the two variables are proportional to each other. The dimensionless number which is the constant of proportionality thus becomes something to be predicted by life history theory.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Beverton, R. J. H. (1963) Maturation, growth and mortality of clupeid and engraulid stocks in relation to fishing.Rapp. Proces-Verb. Cons. Intern. Explor. Mer 154, 44–67.
Beverton, R. J. H. (1987) Longevity in fish: some ecological and evolutionary considerations, pp. 161–86.In Woodhead, A. D. and K. H. Thompson (eds.)Evolution of Longevity in Animals. Plenum Press, N. Y.
Beverton, R. J. H. and Holt, S. J. (1959) A review of the lifespans and mortality rates of fish in nature and the relation to growth and other physiological characteristics, pp. 142–77.In Ciba Foundation, Colloquia in ageing, V.The Lifespan of Animals. Churchill, London.
Charlesworth, B. (1980)Evolution in Age Structured Populations Cambridge Univ. Press, N. Y.
Charnov, E. L. (1990) On evolution of age of maturity and the adult lifespan.Jour. Evol. Biol. 3, 139–44.
Charnov, E. L. (1989) Natural selection on age of maturity in shrimp.Evolutionary Ecology 3, 236–9.
Charnov, E. L. (1979) Natural selection and sex change in Pandalid shrimp: test of a life history theory.Amer. Natur. 113, 715–34.
Charnov, E. L. and Shine, R. (1990) Patterns of survivorship, growth and maturation in snakes and lizards. (Submitted,Amer. Natur.).
Charnov, E. L. and Berrigan, D. (1990) Evolution of life history parameters in fish. (Submitted,Evol. Ecol.).
Millar, J. S. and Zammuto, R. M. (1983) Life histories of mammals: an analysis of life tables.Ecology 64, 631–5.
Stearns, S. C. and Crandall, R. E. (1981) Quantitative predictions of delayed maturity.Evolution 35, 455–63.
Tinkle, D. W., Wilbur, H. M. and Tilley, S. G. (1970) Evolutionary strategies in lizard reproduction.Evolution 24, 55–74.
Williams, G. C. (1966).Adaptation and Natural Selection. Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Charnov, E.L., Berrigan, D. Dimensionless numbers and life history evolution: Age of maturity versus the adult lifespan. Evol Ecol 4, 273–275 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02214335
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02214335