MATE LOCATION, POPULATION-GROWTH AND SPECIES EXTINCTION

The effects of mate location efficiency on the dynamics of population growth and extinction were modeled with a view towards future species conservation efforts. Mate location is shown to be based on the Allee principle. Higher population densities produce greater mate location s uccess rates. Low population densities generate population growth rate s that are smaller than mortality rates, and, thus, produce a conditio n leading to species extinction. A survey of animal phyla suggests tha t selection for behaviors, morphology and physiology, which either tem porarily increase mating season population densities or effectively in crease population densities by increasing the distance from which a ma te can be recognized, has shaped the evolution of species. A mechanism is provided for understanding this process of extinction, and a frame work is presented for constructing a management plan for species at ri sk. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.