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Questions and Answers
Identify one characteristic of specialist species and explain how that characteristic makes them more likely to become extinct than generalist species.
Identify one characteristic of specialist species and explain how that characteristic makes them more likely to become extinct than generalist species.
Specialist species have specific food requirements which makes them more vulnerable to extinction as they cannot adapt to changes in food availability.
Identify one characteristic of an r-selected species that could increase the likelihood of the r-selected species becoming a more successful invasive species than K-selected species.
Identify one characteristic of an r-selected species that could increase the likelihood of the r-selected species becoming a more successful invasive species than K-selected species.
R-selected species produce many offspring with little to no parental care, allowing their populations to grow rapidly.
Describe the relationship between Zebra Mussel and Unionid Mussel population density in the Hudson River.
Describe the relationship between Zebra Mussel and Unionid Mussel population density in the Hudson River.
Zebra Mussels often outcompete Unionid Mussels for resources, leading to a decline in Unionid Mussel populations as Zebra Mussels establish dominance.
What best describes this graph?
What best describes this graph?
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An r-selected species characteristically has:
An r-selected species characteristically has:
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Study Notes
Specialist vs. Generalist Species
- Specialist species have a narrow ecological niche and are more prone to extinction
- Specialists have specific food requirements and limited ability to adapt to new conditions
- Generalist species have a broader ecological niche and are less prone to extinction
- Generalists have broad food requirements and high adaptability
- Generalists are more likely to be invasive species
K-selected vs. r-selected Species
- K-selected species have a low biotic potential, reproduce fewer times, and have a long lifespan with heavy parental care
- Examples of K-selected species include mammals and birds
- r-selected species have a high biotic potential, reproduce many times, and have a short lifespan with little to no parental care
- Examples of r-selected species include insects, fish, and plants
- r-selected species are more likely to be invasive species due to their high biotic potential and rapid population growth
Survivorship Curves
- A survivorship curve shows the survival rate of a cohort of individuals in a population from birth to death.
- Type I survivorship curve is characteristic of K-selected species with high survivorship early in life due to parental care and a rapid decrease in survivorship in late life.
- Type II survivorship curve represents a steady decreasing survivorship throughout life.
- Type III survivorship curve is characteristic of r-selected species with high mortality early in life due to lack of parental care and few individuals reaching adulthood.
- Coral is an example of a species that has a Type II survivorship curve.
- The survivorship curve can be used to determine the life history strategy of a species.
Invasives & Disturbances
- K-selected species are more likely to be disrupted by environmental change or invasive species due to their low biotic potential.
- r-selected species are more likely to be successful invasive species due to their high biotic potential and rapid population growth.
- r-selected species are less impacted by disturbances due to their high reproductive rate and lack of parental care.
- Invasive species often outcompete native species for resources, leading to a decline in native species populations.
- r-selected species are more likely to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
- Invasive species can have a significant impact on the biodiversity of an ecosystem.
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Description
Test your understanding of specialist and generalist species as well as K-selected and r-selected species. This quiz covers key concepts in ecology, including adaptability, survivorship curves, and invasive species. Challenge yourself with questions that explore the differences between these categories of species.
