We also present predictions for how tradeoffs differ along the pace of life axis. Our models are validated using empirical data. Overall, this turns the acquisition-allocation heuristic into a predictive, quantitative framework.

We present some new hypotheses for how resource abundance and dietary restriction impact tradeoffs. These mechanisms do not require a direct effect of population-level mean resource availability at all!

These further interact (3-way) with the covariance between allocation and acquisition, to overall exacerbate the strength of phenotypic correlations.

Surprisingly, we find no direct effect of mean resources acquired by a population on phenotypic correlations. Instead, the mean resource partitioning strategy of a population, independently, and via its interaction with variation in allocation or acquisition, modulates phenotypic tradeoffs.

Increasing variation in resource acquisition (A) while holding variation in allocation strategy (X) constant, masks tradeoffs; the opposite reveals tradeoffs. While this is already known, we show that their proportion can predict the sign and strength of phenotypic correlations.

Fruit fly female’s seminal receptacle with GFP tagged sperm swimming

SEM images of moth scales

SEM photos of some pollen