TY - JOUR
T1 - Seasonal changes in female size and its relation to reproduction in the prasitoid Asobara tabida
AU - Ellers, Jacintha
AU - Bax, Minka
AU - Van Alphen, Jacques J M
PY - 2001
Y1 - 2001
N2 - The relation between female size and fitness was studied in female Asobara tabida throughout the field season. The size of A. tabida females varied considerably, with average size being smallest in the middle of the season. There was a positive correlation of realized fecundity with size, and the fitness advantage of larger females increased later in the season. A possible explanation for this can be found in the energy expenditure during the season. Regression analysis showed that fat use increases with size of the female, but also with temperature. Temperature was low early and late in the season, but high in the middle. We argue that the high temperatures may constrain fitness advantages of large females because of their increased metabolic needs. Variation in the form of the fitness function within the season may moderate directional selection for larger females.
AB - The relation between female size and fitness was studied in female Asobara tabida throughout the field season. The size of A. tabida females varied considerably, with average size being smallest in the middle of the season. There was a positive correlation of realized fecundity with size, and the fitness advantage of larger females increased later in the season. A possible explanation for this can be found in the energy expenditure during the season. Regression analysis showed that fat use increases with size of the female, but also with temperature. Temperature was low early and late in the season, but high in the middle. We argue that the high temperatures may constrain fitness advantages of large females because of their increased metabolic needs. Variation in the form of the fitness function within the season may moderate directional selection for larger females.
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U2 - 10.1034/j.1600-0706.2001.920213.x
DO - 10.1034/j.1600-0706.2001.920213.x
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0035103736
VL - 92
SP - 309
EP - 314
JO - Oikos
JF - Oikos
SN - 0030-1299
IS - 2
ER -