Life History Evolution in a "Recruitment Population": Why Are Adult Mortality Rates Constant?

Adult mortality rates often vary much less through time (or with population density) than do clutch size or immature mortality rates. This observation is studied theoretically using a life-history evolution model for a density regulated population. The adaptation model is used as a tool to probe the underlying constraints (tradeoffs or genetic correlations) which may be operative in producing the observed demographic pattern. This exercise leads to some new life-history questions.