Final answer:
Mice have a better chance of surviving sudden environmental change than elephants because mice have a higher rmax, meaning a faster reproductive rate and a shorter generation time, which allows for quicker adaptation and greater genetic variation within populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the author, species such as mice have a better chance of surviving sudden environmental change than elephants because of the principle of rmax, which refers to the intrinsic rate of increase of a population. In this context, a species with a greater rmax has a higher reproductive rate and will generate more offspring in a given time period. Mice reproduce more quickly than elephants, allowing for faster population growth and a greater likelihood of genetic variation within the population. This genetic variability can lead to adaptations that increase survival in changing environments. Additionally, smaller mammals like mice have a shorter generation time, which allows them to evolve and adapt more rapidly to environmental changes than larger mammals like elephants.
Another factor is the ecological niche. Smaller species like mice have more varied food sources and adapt faster to changes in their environment. In contrast, elephants have longer generation times and slower reproductive rates, making it harder for them to adapt quickly to new conditions. As a result, species with faster reproductive cycles and shorter generation times, like mice, are generally more resilient to environmental changes.