The evolution of parental optimism

In choosing how many offspring to rear per cycle, parents commonly starts with more than they really can afford, then allow/encourage some to die. Multiple incentives for overproduction exist. By creating marginal young, parents may: (1) capitalize when unpredictable resources prove unusually rich;...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in ecology & evolution (Amsterdam) 1995-03, Vol.10 (3), p.130-134
Main Authors: Mock, Douglas W., Forbes, L.Scott
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects
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Summary:In choosing how many offspring to rear per cycle, parents commonly starts with more than they really can afford, then allow/encourage some to die. Multiple incentives for overproduction exist. By creating marginal young, parents may: (1) capitalize when unpredictable resources prove unusually rich; (2) supply these as food or servants for core brood members; and/or (3) have a stock of replacements for any core offspring that either fail to survive or develop poorly.
ISSN:0169-5347
1872-8383
DOI:10.1016/S0169-5347(00)89014-X