Selection Gradients on Body Size and Investment Per Offspring

Data from a 2020 study by Njal Rollinson investigates the paradox of stasis in body size evolution. It provides measurements of directional selection on juvenile and adult size, alongside selection against investment per offspring. The dataset supports analysis of trade-offs between fecundity and juvenile size.

Use Cases

• Analyze the opposing signs of selection gradients on juvenile size versus investment per offspring to test parent-offspring conflict hypotheses.
• Examine the correlation between directional selection on size and fecundity trade-offs across species.
• Compare median directional selection estimates for juvenile size versus adult size to assess life-stage specific evolutionary pressures.
• Model the net selection gradient by combining observed upward selection on size with selection against investment per offspring.

Strengths

• Data is associated with a peer-reviewed study published in 2020, providing a clear scientific context.
• Explicitly measures key evolutionary parameters: directional selection on size and selection against investment per offspring.
• Addresses a specific, long-standing paradox in evolutionary biology (the paradox of stasis).

Limitations

• The specific data structure, row count, column names, and file formats are not provided in the input.
• The geographic and taxonomic scope of the underlying studies is not specified, limiting generalizability.
• As a compiled dataset from other studies, it may inherit inconsistencies in measurement protocols.

Provenance

Source

Dryad digital repository.

Collection Method

Compiled from published estimates of selection on body size and related life-history traits, as described in the associated study.

Freshness

Last updated in June 2020.