You can see r- and K-selected strategies clearly by looking at different organisms within a phylogenetic group, such as the mammals. For example, elephants are highly K-selected, whereas mice are much more r-selected. … Even plants are capable of r- and K-selected reproductive strategies.

Are plants r selected or K selected?

Plants such as dandelions are another good example of an r-selected species. The r/k selection theory should be thought of as a spectrum. Some organisms may produce a medium number of offspring but those offspring still grow quickly and the parents provide little care.

Are trees R or K strategists?

For instance, trees have traits such as longevity and strong competitiveness that characterise them as K-strategists. In reproduction, however, trees typically produce thousands of offspring and disperse them widely, traits characteristic of r-strategists.

Are plants k selected?

Examples of K-selected species include birds, larger mammals (such as elephants, horses, and primates), and larger plants.

What plants are r selected?

R-selected organisms, those emphasizing a fast growth rate, high number of offspring, include rabbits, bacteria, salmon, plants such as weeds and grasses, etc.

Are Lions R or K-selected?

Common examples of k-strategists species include humans, lions and whales.

Why are trees K-selected?

The tree’s height and size allow it to dominate other plants in the competition for sunlight, the oak’s primary energy resource. Furthermore, when it does reproduce, the oak produces large, energy-rich seeds that use their energy reserve to become quickly established (K-selection).

Are Squirrels K-selected?

Tree squirrels are K-selected compared to ground squirrels but rodents are r-selected compared to elephants, etc.

Which one is K-selected species?

Elephants, humans, and bison are all k-selected species. On the other hand, r-selected species often inhabit unstable environments and are completely density independent. These species often have short life expectancies, produce as many offspring as they can, and invest very low amounts of parental care.

Is a whooping crane R or K-selected?

Not much is known about the learning that takes place in this K-selected species over the almost one year that the young whooping crane colt remains with its adult parents.

Are rabbits R selected?

And yes rabbits. So if someone says a family breeds like rabbits that would be a “r” strategy ” except in scientific terms people are K strategists. Conversely, K-selected species live in densities close to carrying capacity and are strong competitors with greater ability to be successful in adulthood.

Are Dogs R or K-selected species?

Indeed, one can think of a given organism as an “r-strategist” or a “K-strategist” only relative to some other organism; thus statements about r and K selection are invariably comparative. Cats and dogs are r-selected compared to humans, but K-selected compared to mice and rats.

What is r and K selection and how do they differ?

r-selected babies grow rapidly, and tend to be found in less competitive, low quality environments. … K-selected species produce offspring that each have a higher probability of survival to maturity.

What are characteristics of R strategists?

The production of numerous small offspring followed by exponential population growth is the defining characteristic of r-selected species. They require short gestation periods, mature quickly (and thus require little or no parental care), and possess short life spans.

Are frogs K-selected?

Frogs have been selected by stable, predictable environments, therefore they do not feel the need to care for their offspring like wolves. … Smaller animals like frogs do not care for their offspring as a lot of them are produced whereas larger animals like wolves only produce a few.

Are K strategists density dependent?

K-strategist populations are more commonly regulated by density-dependent limiting factors. Their population sizes hover around a carrying capacity that is dependent on factors that increase in severity with the density of the population.