Life table
- Pronunciation
- /LIFE tay-bl/
- Category
- Life History
- Singular
- Life table
- Plural
- Life tables
Definition
A table that summarizes the life stages and survival rates of a population over time.
Etymology
From Latin 'vita', meaning 'life', and 'tabula', meaning 'table'.
Example
A life table for a population of butterflies would show the survival rates of eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults.
Related Terms
- Cohort
- Survivorship
- Mortality
- Population dynamics
Usage Notes
Life tables are used to study the life cycle and reproductive success of organisms.