Editing Colony (biology) (section)

== Life history ==

Individuals in social colonies and modular organisms receive benefit to such a lifestyle. For example, it may be easier to seek out food, defend a nesting site, or increase competitive ability against other species. Modular organisms' ability to reproduce asexually in addition to sexually allows them unique benefits that social colonies do not have.<ref name="Winston2010" />

The energy required for sexual reproduction varies based on the frequency and length of reproductive activity, number and size of offspring, and parental care.<ref name=KunzOrrell>{{cite journal|title= Energy Costs of Reproduction|year=2004|last1=Kunz|first1=T.H.|last2=Orrell|first2=K.S.|journal=Encyclopedia of Energy|volume=5|pages=423–442|doi=10.1016/B0-12-176480-X/00061-9}}</ref> While solitary individuals bear all of those energy costs, individuals in some social colonies share a portion of those costs.{{cn|date=November 2023}}

Modular organisms save energy by using asexual reproduction during their life. Energy reserved in this way allows them to put more energy towards colony growth, regenerating lost modules (due to predation or other cause of death), or response to environmental conditions.{{cn|date=November 2023}}