Comment on "The illusion of invariant quantities in life histories"

Science. 2006 Apr 14;312(5771):198; author reply 198. doi: 10.1126/science.312.5771.198a.

Abstract

Nee et al. (Reports, 19 August 2005, p. 1236) used a null model to argue that life history invariants are illusions. We show that their results are largely inconsequential for life history theory because the authors confound two definitions of invariance, and rigorous analysis of their null model demonstrates that it does not match observed data.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Biological Evolution*
  • Body Size
  • Body Weight*
  • Clutch Size
  • Growth*
  • Longevity
  • Mathematics
  • Models, Biological*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Reproduction*
  • Sexual Maturation