The360report

Which characteristics are typical of r selected species?

Among the traits that are thought to characterize r–selection are high fecundity, small body size, early maturity onset, short generation time, and the ability to disperse offspring widely. Organisms whose life history is subject to r–selection are often referred to as r-strategists or r–selected.

What are the 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.

What are examples of R selected species?

Typical examples of r–species are mice, rabbits, weeds and bacteria, which have a lot of offspring, but a short life expectancy. Examples of organisms undergoing K-selection are tortoises, elephants, people, and sequoia trees: their offspring are few but long-lived.

What do r selected species do?

r–selection: On one extreme are the species that are highly r–selected. r is for reproduction. Such a species puts only a small investment of resources into each offspring, but produces many such low effort babies. Such species are also generally not very invested in protecting or rearing these young.