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Integrating Behavior in Life-History Theory: Allocation versus Acquisition?
Kate L Laskowski1, Maria Moiron2, Petri T Niemelä3
1Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|November 18, 2020
Summary
Behavioral differences are assumed to mediate life-history trade-offs, but evidence is lacking. Clarifying behavior's role in resource acquisition versus allocation is key for robust life-history theory and predictions.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Ecology
- Life-History Theory
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Individual differences in behavior are often explained by life-history trade-offs.
- Behavior is theorized to mediate trade-offs between current and future reproduction.
- Empirical support for behavior mediating these trade-offs is currently weak.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the role of behavior in life-history theory.
- To clarify the distinction between resource acquisition and allocation in behavioral studies.
- To improve the precision of life-history predictions by refining theoretical frameworks.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of existing life-history frameworks.
- Conceptual integration of resource acquisition and allocation processes.
- Identification of key variables for empirical testing.
Main Results:
- Current life-history theory may oversimplify behavior's role.
- The distinction between resource acquisition and allocation is crucial but often overlooked.
- Behavior's dual role in both processes needs explicit consideration.
Conclusions:
- Revisiting the balance between resource acquisition and allocation is essential for advancing behavioral ecology.
- A clearer understanding of behavior's role will strengthen life-history theory.
- More precise predictions regarding individual differences in behavior and life history are achievable.
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