LEVITAN, D.R.; Florida State University: Theory and empirical evidence for the role of egg size on fertilization success in marine invertebrates

The amount of energy invested in individual eggs is a critical life history trait. The obvious cost of producing relatively large eggs is decrease in the number of eggs that can be produced per unit energy allocated to egg production. For selection to favor such an increase, the benefit of increases in egg size must outweigh the cost of reduced egg numbers. One controversial aspect of the consequences of egg size is how it influences the likelihood of fertilization. Here I discuss the various theoretical predictions of how sperm availability might influence the evolution of egg size and also review a recent proliferation of studies that examine how egg size can influence the probability of fertilization.