Which of these characteristics are typical of a r-selected population?
a. occurence in variable environments
b. high intrinsic rate of growth
c. onset of reproduction at an early age
d. extensive parental cae of offspring
e. occurrence in open habitats
To determine which characteristics are typical of an r-selected population, we need to understand what r-selected populations are. R and K selection are two contrasting reproductive strategies observed in ecology. r-selected species have the ability to reproduce rapidly and maximize their population growth rate (r), while K-selected species prioritize long-term population stability (K) by investing more in each individual offspring.
Now, let's evaluate each characteristic to see if it aligns with the typical traits of an r-selected population:
a. Occurrence in variable environments: This is typically a characteristic of r-selected populations. They are adaptable to different environmental conditions and can quickly colonize new habitats.
b. High intrinsic rate of growth: This is a key characteristic of r-selected populations. They have a high rate of population increase due to rapid reproduction and short generation times.
c. Onset of reproduction at an early age: This is another characteristic of r-selected populations. They tend to reproduce at a young age, prioritizing quantity of offspring over quality.
d. Extensive parental care of offspring: This characteristic is typically not observed in r-selected populations. They usually exhibit minimal parental care, if any, as their reproductive strategy focuses on producing a large number of offspring rather than investing heavily in each individual.
e. Occurrence in open habitats: This is also a typical characteristic of r-selected populations. They are often found in open habitats such as fields, meadows, or disturbed areas.
In conclusion, the typical characteristics of an r-selected population are: occurrence in variable environments, high intrinsic rate of growth, onset of reproduction at an early age, and occurrence in open habitats. Extensive parental care of offspring is not typically a characteristic of r-selected populations.