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r/K Selection quiz #3

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  • How does natural selection influence the life history strategies of r-selected and K-selected species?
    Natural selection favors r-selected strategies in unstable environments by maximizing growth rate (r), while it favors K-selected strategies in stable environments by optimizing fitness near carrying capacity (K).
  • What type of environment is most likely to favor the evolution of K-selected species, and why?
    Stable environments with intense competition and populations near carrying capacity favor K-selected species because these conditions reward high parental investment and efficient resource use.
  • What is meant by the term 'life history' in biology?
    Life history refers to how a species allocates its time, energy, and resources to survival, growth, and reproduction.
  • How does natural selection shape r-selected and K-selected life history strategies?
    Natural selection favors r-selected strategies in unstable environments by maximizing growth rate (r), while it favors K-selected strategies in stable environments by optimizing fitness near carrying capacity (K).
  • What type of environment typically favors the evolution of K-selected species?
    Stable environments with intense competition and populations near carrying capacity favor K-selected species because these conditions reward high parental investment and efficient resource use.
  • What are the main reproductive characteristics of r-selected species?
    R-selected species have high fecundity, produce many offspring, and invest little parental care in each offspring.
  • Which type of survivorship curve is associated with r-selected species, and what does it indicate?
    R-selected species exhibit type 3 survivorship curves, indicating high mortality rates and low survivorship early in life.
  • How do K-selected species typically invest in their offspring compared to r-selected species?
    K-selected species produce few offspring but invest heavily in each one, often providing significant parental care.
  • What population dynamics are commonly observed in r-selected species?
    R-selected species often experience boom and bust cycles, with rapid population growth followed by rapid crashes.
  • How do survivorship curves differ between K-selected and r-selected species?
    K-selected species have type 1 survivorship curves with high early-life survivorship, while r-selected species have type 3 curves with high early-life mortality.