On r‐ and K‐selection: evidence from the bean weevil (Acanthoscelides obtectus)

摘要

AbstractPopulations ofAcanthoscelides obtectuswere maintained for 7 generations in either low‐ or high‐larval densities in order to examine whether weevils life‐history traits are modified in the direction predicted by r/K‐selection theory. We found that r‐selected population had a higher total fecundity, earlier age at first and last reproduction, and higher intrinsic rate of growth than K‐selected population. Contrary to the theory, we have no evidence that preadult developmental time and adult longevity have been molded by density‐dependent selection. The analysis of genetic variation of the weevils life‐history traits in responses to different larval densities in both r‐ and K‐selection populations indicates that different set of genes determining performance in two densities of analysed fecundity indices were accumulated during the course of the