The r-selected species rapidly increase in numbers as they reproduce only once in their lifetime but produce a large number of offspring. Therefore, they exhibit exponential growth and the growth curve is J-shaped.
Further Explanation:
The quality and quantity of offspring depend on the combination of traits that are selected in an organism. This is known as K/r selection theory. The organisms which focus on increasing the number of offspring that results in low parental investment o each individual are called r-strategists. Some others compromise on the quantity but focus on the high quality of offspring which needs increased parental care. Such organisms are K-strategists.
The r-selected species generally invade ecological niches that are less-crowded, emphasize high growth rates and therefore, produce a large number of offspring. These offspring have relatively low chances of survival until adulthood. These species predominate in an unpredictable or unstable environment due to their ability to reproduce efficiently and rapidly. As the environment remains unstable, it keeps on changing with time and therefore, there is a disadvantage for adaptation which would have permitted the r-selected species to compete with other organisms. The trait that characterizes such species is small body size, short generation time, high fecundity, and early maturity onset. The r-selected species reproduce once in their lifetime and result in the production of offspring in large numbers. When such population growth is plotted against time, a J-shaped curve is seen in the graph. The rapid increase in the population corresponds to the exponential growth which occurs in a short time period.
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Answer Details:
Grade: High School
Chapter: r and K selection
Subject: Biology
Keywords:
R-selected species, K-selected species, r-strategists, K-strategists, exponential growth, J-shaped curve, unpredictable environment, short life span, high growth rates.
