What are R & K selected species?

The r selected species live in populations that are highly variable. The fittest individuals in these environments have many offspring and reproduce early. K selected species live in populations that are at or near equilibrium conditions for long periods of time.

What are R and K strategists?

The r and K strategists are two types of organisms categories under the basis of r and K selection. r strategist is the organism living in unstable environments. On the contrary, K strategist lives in stable, predictable environments. Therefore, r strategist reproduces fast in order to ensure its survival.

What are some r-selected species?

Typical examples of r-species are mice, rabbits, weeds and bacteria, which have a lot of offspring, but a short life expectancy. In summary, r-selection is selection for quantity, K-selection for quality of offspring.

What are K species?

K-selected species possess relatively stable populations fluctuating near the carrying capacity of the environment. These species are characterized by having only a few offspring but investing high amounts of parental care. Elephants, humans, and bison are all k-selected species.

What are the characteristics of K-selected species?

K-selected species are characterized by long gestation periods lasting several months, slow maturation (and thus extended parental care), and long life spans. In addition, they tend to inhabit relatively stable biological communities, such as late-successional or climax forests (see ecological succession).

Why are elephants K-selected species?

(a) Elephants are considered K-selected species as they live long, mature late, and provide long-term parental care to few offspring. Oak trees produce many offspring that do not receive parental care, but are considered K-selected species based on longevity and late maturation.

Why are endangered species k-selected?

Endangered species are likely to be K-selected species because they produce fewer offspring and breed less frequently. They also have a later reproductive age and a low population growth rate.

Are sea turtles K or r-selected?

r/K selection as a continuous spectrum Similarly, reptiles such as sea turtles display both r- and K-traits: although large organisms with long lifespans (should they reach adulthood), they produce large numbers of unnurtured offspring.

What is an R species?

r-selected species are those that emphasize high growth rates, typically exploit less-crowded ecological niches, and produce many offspring, each of which has a relatively low probability of surviving to adulthood (i.e., high r, low K). A typical r species is the dandelion (genus Taraxacum).

Why are trees K-selected species?

In our forest example, the large trees (maple, ash, oak, and others) are K-selected. They live a long time, grow very slowly, and can get large enough to outcompete smaller species. Like the elephant, most birds and mammals develop slowly, care for only a few young over multiple births, and are strong competitors.

What is a K-selected species list 3 traits that define these species give two examples of K species?

Traits that ensure the population doesn’t exceed the carrying capacity are known as K-selected traits. This includes characteristics like slow development, low reproductive rate, strong competitive ability, and good parental care, among others.

Why are r-selected species invasive?

Biologists characterize most invasive species as r-selected. R-selected species often grow quickly and mature rapidly. Combined with their explosive reproductive potential, their quick growth and maturation allow them to colonize disturbed and early successional habitats remarkably well.

What types of organisms are considered K selected?

Organisms with K -selected traits include large organisms such as elephants, humans, and whales, but also smaller long-lived organisms such as Arctic terns, parrots and eagles.

What is the definition of r – selected species?

R-selected species. In this equation N is the number of individuals in the population and t is time. The factor (1–[ N / K ]) is often added to the equation to place an upper limit on population growth by accounting for environmental resistance. Examples of r -selected species include pest organisms, such as rodents, insects, and weeds.

What is a K – selected organism?

K selected organisms produce few offspring but invest a lot of energy in them, and examples would include whales, primates (which includes humans), elephants, and some birds, like arctic terns. This is opposed to r selected species, which produce a lot of offspring but tend to invest relatively little energy in them.