Egg number-egg size: an important trade-off in parasite life history strategies

- The mechanism of egg production is addressed using an ectoparasitic copepod.
- Multilevel analyses of the egg number-egg size data set are used.
- The parasite is mainly a K-strategist, contrary to that argued for endoparasites.
- Season of the year and parasite body size drive changes in egg number and egg size.
- A trade-off between egg number and egg size becomes apparent at high fecundities.