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Pathways to semelparity versus early maturity in animals and plants (2023–2026)

Abstract:
This project aims to understand why some animals and plants reproduce only once in their lifetime (they are semelparous), and other species reproduce at a young age so have short generation times (fast life histories). Semelparous species are rare in nature but include commercially important domestic and harvested animals and plants (e.g. salmon, squid, grain crops, bananas, male bees). Theory predicts that both of these strategies may be adaptations to schedules and mechanisms of adult-biased death. By finding which mechanisms trigger which life history response, we can predict what will happen to harvested and threatened species under pressure from mechanisms including climate change, drought, overharvesting, predators, and diseases that kill adults. Many threatened or exploited species have poorly-known reproduction. This project will benefit Australia environmentally and economically by improving capacity of agencies and NGOs to predict species' life history responses and ability to compensate for high death rates via reproduction. The models arising from this research will be ready for agencies to use.
Grant type:
ARC Discovery Projects
Researchers:
Funded by:
Australian Research Council