Lisääntymiskykyisyys

Lisääntymiskykyisyys, often translated as reproductive fitness or fecundity, refers to an organism's ability to successfully reproduce and pass on its genes to the next generation. This concept is central to evolutionary biology and is measured by the number of offspring an individual produces that survive to reproductive age. Higher lisääntymiskykyisyys means an organism is more successful in perpetuating its genetic lineage.

Factors influencing lisääntymiskykyisyys are diverse and can include traits such as mating success, fertility, offspring survival rates, and the ability to find resources necessary for raising young. Environmental conditions, such as the availability of food, presence of predators, and climate, also play a significant role in determining an organism's reproductive success. In essence, lisääntymiskykyisyys is a measure of an organism's contribution to the gene pool of future generations. It is not necessarily about being the strongest or largest, but rather about being the most effective at producing viable offspring. This concept helps explain why certain traits become more prevalent in a population over time through natural selection.