Which of the following is an example of a Type III survivorship curve?

• A. Songbirds
• B. Elephants
• C. Humans
• D. Oysters

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of a survivorship curve: A survivorship curve is a graph that represents the number of individuals in a population that survive to different ages. There are three types of survivorship curves: Type I, Type II, and Type III.
2. Identify the characteristics of a Type III survivorship curve: Type III curves are characterized by high mortality rates for the young, with a few individuals surviving to adulthood. This is typical for species that produce a large number of offspring but provide little or no parental care.
3. Consider the reproductive strategy of oysters: Oysters produce a large number of offspring, but many do not survive to adulthood. This is because they have little parental investment, and the young are vulnerable to predation and environmental factors.
4. Compare with other options: Songbirds, elephants, and humans do not fit the Type III curve. Songbirds and humans tend to have Type II or Type I curves, where mortality is more constant or low in early life stages, respectively. Elephants have a Type I curve, with high survival rates for the young due to significant parental care.
5. Conclude that oysters are an example of a Type III survivorship curve due to their high juvenile mortality and low parental investment, fitting the characteristics of this type of curve.