Two breeding female fish of the same species successfully reproduce, and one female lays 100 eggs, while the other female lays 1,000 eggs. Which one of the following outcomes is most likely, given the limits of fitness trade-offs?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The principle of fitness trade-offs suggests that the energy and resources a female fish invests in reproduction (e.g., the number of eggs laid) can affect other aspects of her biology, such as longevity. A female laying fewer eggs (100) may invest less energy in each reproductive event, potentially allowing for greater investment in her own survival and longevity, compared to a female laying a larger number of eggs (1,000), who may have less energy to invest in her own maintenance and survival.

Two Breeding Female Fish of the Same Species Successfully Reproduce