Problem 9 - Biology: The Dynamic Science

Question

A K-selected species is likely to exhibit: a. a Type I survivorship curve and a short generation time. b. a Type II survivorship curve and a short generation time. c. a Type III survivorship curve and a short generation time. d. a Type I survivorship curve and a long generation time. e. a Type II survivorship curve and a long generation time.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The accurate answer is d. a Type I survivorship curve and a long generation time.

Step 1: Understanding K-selection

K-selected species is a term in ecology for species in a stable environment that produce fewer offsprings, but invest more into each individual offspring. They have longer gestation times and fewer breeding attempts.

Step 2: The Survivorship Curve

A Type I survivorship curve refers to species that have a high survival rate of the young, live out most of their expected lifespan and die in old age. This is typical of K-selected species. A Type II curve represents species where the chance of survival is independent of age. While a Type III curve stands for species which have a high death rate immediately after birth, followed by a period where survivability increases.

Step 3: Generation Time

K-selected species have a long generation time, which means it takes a relatively long time from birth to the time when it can reproduce.

Step 4: Connecting the Attributes to K-selected Species

Based on the definitions and understanding of the terms, the characteristics of a K-selected species line up with a Type I survivorship curve and a long generation time.