Reproductive value (population genetics)

Consider a species with a life history table with survival and reproductive parameters given by \ell_x and m_x, where : \ell_x = probability of surviving from age 0 to age x and : m_x = average number of offspring produced by an individual of age x. In a population with a discrete set of age classes, Fisher's reproductive value is calculated as : v_x = \sum_{y=x}^{\infty} \lambda^{-(y-x+1)} \frac{\ell_{y}}{\ell_{x}} m_{y} where \lambda is the stable population growth rate. When age classes are continuous, : v(x) = \int_{x}^{\infty} e^{-r(y-x)} \frac{\ell(y)}{\ell(x)} m(y) dy where r is the intrinsic rate of increase or Malthusian growth rate. ==See also==