The adaptive significance of reproductive strategies in ungulates

Proc Biol Sci. 1994 Jun 22;256(1347):263-8. doi: 10.1098/rspb.1994.0079.

Abstract

We examine the relation between litter size, gestation length, neonate mass and growth rate among ungulates. By using a recent method for analysing comparative data, we show that ungulates can be divided along a slow-fast continuum, even after accounting for the effects of maternal body mass and common ancestry. Some species produce many small offspring during a short period, whereas others take a long time to raise a single large offspring. These differences in life-history strategy are associated with diet, i.e. browsers have relatively larger litters and smaller neonates than grazers.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological*
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Artiodactyla / physiology*
  • Body Weight
  • Female
  • Growth
  • Litter Size
  • Phylogeny
  • Pregnancy
  • Regression Analysis
  • Reproduction*