The Allometry of Growth and Reproduction

by Michael J. Reiss

Overview

The technique of allometry investigates the effects of size on such variables as food intake, energy requirements, growth rates, and age at first reproduction. Reiss brings together much of what is known about the consequences of size and provides a new and mathematically rigorous framework within which many quantitative predictions are made and tested using published and unpublished data. The models presented afford a new synthesis of the effects of size and open up pathways for further theoretical investigation and experimental testing. Care has been taken to give verbal presentations of all the mathematical conclusions to ensure that the text is widely intelligible.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521360913
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	05/25/1989
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.63(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. The scaling of average daily metabolic rate and energy intake; 3. Why do larger species invest relatively less in their offspring?; 4. The intraspecific relationship of parental investment to female body weight; 5. Growth and productivity; 6. Quantitative models of body size; 7. Sexual dimorphism in body size; 8. Are larger species more dimorphic in body size?; 9. Surface area/volume arguments in biology; 10. Prospectus; Concluding discussion; Glossary of mathematical terms; References; Index.

Editorial Reviews

'It is both useful and stimulating and merits greater accessibility.' Journal of Biological Education

'… a generally very fine book.' Biologist

'… Reiss achieves a rare balance in illuminating his subject without unnecessary complication.' Journal of Natural History

From the Publisher