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Cited by 280Evolution and Paleontology StudiesAnimal Behavior and ReproductionPhysiological and biochemical adaptations

Effects of body size and lifestyle on evolution of mammal life histories

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Sibly, Richard M., Brown, James H.·2007·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
DOI 10.1073/pnas.0707725104PMC PMC2077039
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Abstract

It has recently been proposed that life-history evolution is subject to a fundamental size-dependent constraint. This constraint limits the rate at which biomass can be produced so that production per unit of body mass is inevitably slower in larger organisms than in smaller ones. Here we derive predictions for how changes in body size and production rates evolve in different lifestyles subject to this constraint. Predictions are tested by using data on the mass of neonate tissue produced per adult per year in 637 placental mammal species and are generally supported. Compared with terrestrial insectivores with generalized primitive traits, mammals that have evolved more specialized lifestyles have divergent mass-specific production rates: ( i ) increased in groups that specialize on abundant and reliable foods: grazing and browsing herbivores (artiodactyls, lagomorphs, perissodactyls, and folivorous rodents) and flesh-eating marine mammals (pinnipeds, cetaceans); and ( ii ) decreased in groups that have lifestyles with reduced death rates: bats, primates, arboreal, fossorial, and desert rodents, bears, elephants, and rhinos. Convergent evolution of groups with similar lifestyles is common, so patterns of productivity across mammalian taxa reflect both ecology and phylogeny. The overall result is that groups with different lifestyles have parallel but offset relationships between production rate and body size. These results shed light on the evolution of the fast–slow life-history continuum, suggesting that variation occurs along two axes corresponding to body size and lifestyle.

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  • Several comparative studies have suggested a continuum of energy-use strategies among mammals, from high-energy throughput to low, with each species' strategy contingent upon the particular dynamics of food availability and mortality risk it faces.

    “Indeed, several comparative studies have suggested a continuum of energy-use strategies among mammals, from high-energy throughput to low, with each species’ strategy contingent upon the particular dynamics of food availability and mortality risk it faces (1, 4–6).”

    From Metabolic adaptation for low energy throughput in orangutans. (2010) · cites this paper as [5]

  • If food availability is highly variable or if foraging incurs the risk of predation, it may be advantageous to decrease DEE, even at the cost of decreased reproductive rates, to avoid starvation or predation.

    “Conversely, if food availability is highly variable or if foraging incurs the risk of predation, it may be advantageous to decrease DEE, even at the cost of decreased reproductive rates, to avoid starvation or predation (5, 6).”

    From Metabolic adaptation for low energy throughput in orangutans. (2010) · cites this paper as [5]

  • In habitats in which food resources are abundant, organisms may benefit from adopting higher energy throughput, increasing their food requirements but providing more energy for reproduction.

    “In habitats in which food resources are abundant, organisms may benefit from adopting higher energy throughput, increasing their food requirements but providing more energy for reproduction (4–6).”

    From Metabolic adaptation for low energy throughput in orangutans. (2010) · cites this paper as [5]

  • Decreased energy throughput is thought to be a risk-averse strategy for minimizing the probability of starvation in habitats where food availability is highly variable, unpredictable, and prone to long periods of shortage.

    “Decreased energy throughput is thought to be a risk-averse strategy for minimizing the probability of starvation in habitats where food availability is highly variable, unpredictable, and prone to long periods of shortage (4–6).”

    From Metabolic adaptation for low energy throughput in orangutans. (2010) · cites this paper as [5]

  • According to life-history theory, a reduction in juvenile and adult mortality postponed reproduction and necessitated substantial parental investment in each offspring.

    “According to life-history theory (59, 85), a reduction in juvenile and adult mortality (86) postponed reproduction and necessitated substantial parental investment in each offspring.”

    From Emerging Adulthood, a Pre-adult Life-History Stage (2020) · cites this paper as [85]

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Authors
Sibly, R. M., & Brown, J. H.
Affiliations
  • Roskilde University (DK)
  • Santa Fe Institute (US)
ORCID
Venue
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Publisher
National Academy of Sciences
Published
2007-11-06
Volume
104
Issue
45
Pages
17707-17712
ISSN
  • 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
  • 1091-6490
DOI
10.1073/pnas.0707725104
PMC
PMC2077039
OpenAlex
W2121843331
Cited by
280
References
39
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 17
FWCI
7.56
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Evolution and Paleontology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Physiological and biochemical adaptations
Keywords
life history evolution, body size, lifestyle, fast-slow continuum, placental mammals, herbivory, marine mammals, bats, rodents, convergent evolution, biomass production
MeSH terms
Animals, Body Weight, Cultural Evolution, Female, Life Style, Mammals, Placenta, Pregnancy, Time, Ecosystem, Body Size

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