Effect of population density and female body size on number and size of offspring in a species with size-dependent contests over resources
Rauter,C.M.; McGuire,M.J.; Gwartney,M.M.; Space,J.E.
Ethology 6(2): 120-128
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 0179-1613
DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2009.01720.x
Accession: 034802775
When size-dependent contests over resources influence reproductive success, the trade-off between number and size of offspring depends on the frequency of contests. Under these circumstances, clutch size should decrease and offspring size should increase as contests become more frequent. We tested these predictions with the burying beetle Nicrophorus pustulatus through manipulation of rearing densities.