The Evolution of Reproductive Rates: Are There No Rules?

During the past 20 years animal ecologists have spent much time trying to understand population processes, the practical implications of which are vastly more important for our survival on earth than are all our extravagant efforts to leave it with a safe return ticket. In this period a handful of authoritative books has appeared, each to do with animal populations but having little else in common (Andrewartha and Birch 1954; Lack 1954, 1966; Wynne-Edwards 1962; Elton 1966). A layman reading these would be quite justified in concluding that "There appear to be no rules". Indeed. this phrase seems to reflect Elton's attitude: "The whole field of population control in nature and theories about how it works has Qat ~