Question

Select all of the attributes that make -selected species more likely to experience rapid extinction rates than r-selected species.

a) Long gestation periods
b) Small offspring
c) High parental investment
d) Early reproductive age

Answer 1

K-selected species are more likely to experience rapid extinction rates due to their long gestation periods, high parental investment, and having few offspring, which makes each loss more detrimental to their population.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is asking us to select attributes that make K-selected species more likely to experience rapid extinction rates compared to r-selected species. The main difference between K-selected and r-selected species is their reproductive strategies and the level of parental care they provide. K-selected species are characterized by attributes such as long gestation periods, high parental investment, and generally having few offspring. In contrast, r-selected species reproduce early, have short lifespans, and produce many small offspring with little to no parental care.

Therefore, the correct attributes that make K-selected species more likely to experience rapid extinction rates than r-selected species are:

• Long gestation periods (a)
• High parental investment (c)
• Few offspring (attributed to K-selected species as given in choice 8a from the reference information)

These characteristics can lead to a greater risk to the survival of the species when a single offspring dies since these species invest significantly in each individual offspring.