Positive early?late life?history trait correlations in elephant seals

Correlations between early- and late-life performance are a major prediction of life-history theory. Negative early–late correlations can emerge because biological processes optimized for early but not late life (e.g., rapid development may accelerate the onset senescence; “developmental theory aging”) or allocation to early-life comes at cost in terms (as disposable soma theory). But variation genetic environmental challenges that each individual has cope with during also lead positive trait (the “fixed heterogeneity” “individual quality” hypothesis). We analyzed trajectories 7,420 known-age female southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) monitored over 36 yr determine how actuarial senescence (a proxy performance) correlate age first reproduction performance). As some breeding events be detected this field study, we used custom “multievent” hierarchical model estimate it other traits. The probability was 0.34 3, most females time 4, comparatively few older ages. Females an outperformed delayed breeders all aspects considered (survival, rate senescence, net reproductive output) one: appeared have 1 earlier compared breeders. Genetics conditions likely explain correlation performance. Our results provide evidence seals.