APES 3.1-3.3

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.

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.