Size, life history and ecology in mammals

摘要: ummary Allometric laws which scale numerous biomechanical and physiological processes to size in mammals have long been recognized widely used biology. There is now sufficient evidence suggest that those life history parameters such as growth maximum rates of reproduction, depend part on metabolic rate, are also scaled size. Data presented which, coupled with a literature review, show gestation time, rates, age at first lifespan, the intrinsic rate natural increase, birth net reproductive litter weight allometrically are, consequence, inter-related. The exponents scaling functions similar all mammalian orders but some taxa primates, species grow slower, live longer reproduce lower rate. For these differences can be explained by brain an existing hypothesis neural tissue constrains development entire organism. It then argued because scales main it should central theme ecology from individual community level organisation. Examples ubiquitous accounts for most variation between species. Size offers method reducing varying dimensions space action. It therefore fundamental distinguishing arise consequence size, order strategies, vary populations according environmental circumstances, second strategies. From this approach develop broader biological synthesis genetic determinants will inevitably feature more centrally than they do ecological behavioural theory. Resume Les lois allometriques unissant les processus biomecaniques et physiologiques avec la taille chez mammiferes ont ete reconnues depuis longtemps largement utilisees en biologic Il y maintenant assez de certitude pour suggerer que parametres biologiques tels croissance taux maximal qui dependent partiellement du rendement metabolique, sont aussi fonctions taille. Les donnees presentees ici, couplees une revue litterature, montrent duree gestation, le croissance, l'âge premiere vie, intrinseque d'accroissement naturel, natalite, reproduction poids portee relation allometrique et, par consequent, interrelation.