Journal
ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION, AND SYSTEMATICS, VOL 52, 2021
Volume 52, Issue -, Pages 67-86Publisher
ANNUAL REVIEWS
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-122420-102909
Keywords
complex life-cycle transitions; density dependence; dispersal capability; habitat limitation of egg laying; oviposition; recruitment limitation
Categories
Funding
- Dyason Grant from the University of Melbourne
- Australian Research Council [DP0344236, DP0345511, DP0772854, DP120103145, LP140100054, DP160102262, DP170101908]
- National Science Foundation [DEB-0206095, DEB-0089863]
- Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory
- Australian Research Council [DP0344236, DP0345511, DP0772854, LP140100054] Funding Source: Australian Research Council
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Understanding the regulation of population sizes in organisms with complex life cycles is challenging, as limits on population sizes can occur at any stage or transition. Our review explores whether successfully laid eggs determine densities of later stages in various organisms, suggesting potential spatial variation in egg densities. Existing data indicate strong associations between egg and subsequent juvenile densities in species where suitable egg-laying habitat is scarce.
Understanding what regulates population sizes of organisms with complex life cycles is challenging because limits on population sizes can occur at any stage or transition. We extend a conceptual framework to explore whether numbers of successfully laid eggs determine densities of later stages in insects, fish, amphibians, and snails inhabiting marine, freshwater, or terrestrial habitats. Our review suggests novel hypotheses, which propose characteristics of species or environments that create spatial variation in egg densities and predict when such patterns are maintained throughout subsequent life-cycle stages. Existing data, although limited, suggest that persistent, strong associations between egg and subsequent juvenile densities are likely for species where suitable egg-laying habitat is in short supply. Those associations are weakened in some environments and for some species by density-dependent losses of eggs or hatchlings. Such cross-ecosystem comparisons are fundamental to generality in ecology but demand place-based understandings of species' biology and natural history.
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