Fecundity

Definition

Fecundity is the reproductive capacity of an individual or population, often measured by the number of eggs or offspring produced. It plays a critical role in understanding population dynamics and evolutionary fitness.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. 1. Fecundity is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
2. 2. Higher fecundity can lead to faster population growth but may be offset by higher mortality rates.
3. 3. In some species, fecundity changes with age, being highest during certain life stages.
4. 4. Natural selection can favor different levels of fecundity depending on environmental conditions and resource availability.
5. 5. Trade-offs exist between fecundity and other life history traits, such as parental investment and lifespan.

Review Questions

• 1. How does fecundity affect population growth?
• 2. What factors can influence an organism's fecundity?
• 3. Describe a trade-off that might occur between fecundity and another life history trait.

Related terms

Life History Traits: Characteristics of an organism's life cycle that influence reproduction and survival, such as age at first reproduction, number of offspring, and lifespan

Natural Selection: The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring

Population Dynamics: The study of how populations change over time due to births, deaths, immigration, and emigration