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r/K Selection quiz #2 Flashcards

r/K Selection quiz #2
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  • What characteristics do humans share with r-selected species?
    Humans, like r-selected species, can exhibit high fecundity in certain contexts, but they primarily share characteristics with K-selected species, such as high parental investment and low fecundity.
  • K-selected species have what type of survivorship curve?
    K-selected species typically exhibit a type 1 survivorship curve, characterized by low mortality rates and high survivorship early in life.
  • Which of the following is a typical K-selected species adaptation? A) High fecundity B) Minimal parental care C) High parental investment D) Rapid population growth
    C) High parental investment
  • Which of the following is a typical K-selected species' adaptation? A) High fecundity B) Minimal parental care C) High parental investment D) Rapid population growth
    C) High parental investment
  • What is the main focus of r-selected species in terms of population growth?
    R-selected species focus on maximizing the per capita population growth rate, or the value of r.
  • How do r-selected species typically respond to environmental instability?
    R-selected species thrive in unstable environments, often experiencing boom and bust cycles with rapid population growth followed by crashes.
  • What is a key difference between r-selected and K-selected species in terms of offspring production?
    R-selected species produce many offspring with low investment per offspring, while K-selected species produce few offspring with high investment per offspring.
  • What type of environment do K-selected species typically thrive in?
    K-selected species thrive in stable environments with intense competition.
  • What is the relationship between fecundity and survivorship in r-selected species?
    R-selected species have high fecundity and low survivorship, with high mortality rates early in life.
  • What is the significance of the carrying capacity (K) in K-selected species?
    K-selected species are adapted to environments near the carrying capacity, where population densities are high and stable.
  • What are the main differences between r-selected and K-selected species in terms of reproductive strategies and survivorship curves?
    r-selected species have high fecundity, produce many offspring with little parental care, and exhibit type 3 survivorship curves. K-selected species have low fecundity, produce few offspring with high parental investment, and exhibit type 1 survivorship curves.
  • Why do r-selected species often experience 'boom and bust' population cycles?
    r-selected species experience 'boom and bust' cycles because they rapidly increase population size in favorable conditions but suffer high mortality and population crashes when conditions change.
  • Explain the trade-off between fecundity and survivorship in the context of r/K selection theory.
    In r/K selection theory, species with high fecundity (r-selected) have low survivorship due to minimal parental care, while species with low fecundity (K-selected) have high survivorship due to greater parental investment.