Final answer:
Grouper fish are considered K-selected because they typically reproduce at an older age, have longer lifespans, and provide substantial care to fewer offspring, characteristics that are consistent with a Type I survivorship curve.
Step-by-step explanation:
Grouper fish, which typically begin reproducing around 20 years of age, could be considered as exhibiting K-selected life history traits. K-selected species are characterized by long lifespans, late maturity, and often providing substantial parental care to a smaller number of offspring. In contrast to r-selected species, which mature quickly, live shorter lives, and produce many offspring with little to no parental care, K-selected organisms invest more heavily in fewer offspring. This is aligned with organisms that usually have a Type I survivorship curve, where the likelihood of surviving to old age is higher, and those that do survive tend to live much longer. Examples include elephants and oak trees. It's also important to consider the threats these fish face, such as overfishing, which can lead to genetic changes in the population affecting traits like ages and sizes at maturity, and in some cases, can push them towards the brink of extinction.