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Obligate versus rich patch opportunism: evolution and endocrine mechanisms.

J M Cornelius¹, H E Watts, H Dingle

¹Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA. cornelius@ucdavis.edu

General and Comparative Endocrinology

|April 25, 2013

Summary

Two strategies explain opportunistic breeding: obligate opportunism (OBO) involves heavy reproduction during resource pulses, while rich patch exploitation (RPE) focuses on mobility to find resources, prioritizing survival over reproduction.

Keywords:

Annual schedule Corticosterone Crossbill GnRH Nomadic Zebra finch

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Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis

Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis

Published on: June 3, 2016

Area of Science:

Ecology
Evolutionary Biology
Animal Behavior

Background:

Opportunistic breeding is hypothesized to evolve due to unpredictable resource availability.
The traditional view suggests heavy reproductive investment during resource pulses, potentially harming survival.

Purpose of the Study:

To present and differentiate two distinct strategies for opportunistic breeding: obligate opportunism (OBO) and rich patch exploitation (RPE).
To review empirical examples and endocrine profiles to determine which strategy better explains observed opportunistic breeding behaviors.

Main Methods:

Conceptual review of existing hypotheses on opportunistic breeding.
Analysis of empirical data and case studies of animal reproduction and survival strategies.
Examination of endocrine profiles in relation to reproductive and survival investment.

Main Results:

The study distinguishes between 'obligate opportunism' (OBO) and 'rich patch exploitation' (RPE) strategies.
RPE strategy emphasizes mobility to exploit unpredictable resources, potentially prioritizing survival over reproduction.
OBO strategy involves high reproductive investment when resources are available, possibly at the expense of survival.

Conclusions:

The RPE strategy offers an alternative explanation for the evolution of opportunism, distinct from the traditional OBO view.
Understanding these strategies is crucial for predicting animal responses to environmental variability.
Further research into endocrine mechanisms can elucidate the trade-offs between reproduction and survival in opportunistic breeders.