Fragmentation modes and the evolution of life cycles
Fig 6
Optimal life cycles under monotonic fecundity landscapes.
Birth rates are given by bi = 1 + Mgi where gi = [(i − 1)/(n − 2)]α. A Costless fragmentation, n = 20. B Fragmentation with proportional costs, n = 21. C Fragmentation with fixed costs, n = 21. For costless fragmentation and fragmentation with proportional costs, only binary modes 19+1, 18+2, …, 10+10 are optimal. In these cases, diminishing returns (α < 1) make equal binary fragmentation (10+10) optimal. Also, optimality of the unicellular propagule strategy (19+1) requires increasing returns (α > 1). For fragmentation with fixed costs, nonbinary modes 7+7+6, …, 1+…+1 can also be optimal.