Life history strategies (r/K selection) MCQs

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: September 12, 2024

1. What does the “r-selection” life history strategy emphasize?
a) Producing a few offspring with high parental investment
b) High reproductive rates with minimal parental care
c) Long lifespans and high survival rates of offspring
d) Investment in maintaining a stable population size
Answer: b) High reproductive rates with minimal parental care

2. Which of the following traits is typically associated with r-selected species?
a) Large body size and long lifespan
b) High fecundity and rapid development
c) High parental investment and extended care
d) Low reproductive output and delayed maturation
Answer: b) High fecundity and rapid development

3. In the context of K-selection, what is a key characteristic of K-selected species?
a) High reproductive rates and low competition
b) High parental care and investment in fewer offspring
c) Short lifespans and rapid growth
d) Low survival rates and high population fluctuation
Answer: b) High parental care and investment in fewer offspring

4. Which of the following species is most likely to exhibit K-selection?
a) Insects with short lifespans and high reproductive rates
b) Rodents that produce many offspring with little care
c) Large mammals with long lifespans and high parental investment
d) Annual plants with rapid growth and early reproduction
Answer: c) Large mammals with long lifespans and high parental investment

5. What does the “K” in K-selection stand for?
a) The rate of increase in population size
b) The carrying capacity of the environment
c) The energy expenditure in reproduction
d) The competition for resources
Answer: b) The carrying capacity of the environment

6. How do r-selected species typically respond to changes in environmental conditions?
a) They exhibit stable populations with predictable growth patterns
b) They show rapid population growth and high variability in population size
c) They invest heavily in each offspring to ensure survival
d) They have long developmental periods and delayed reproduction
Answer: b) They show rapid population growth and high variability in population size

7. Which of the following traits is commonly observed in r-selected species?
a) Late reproduction and high offspring survival rates
b) High reproductive output and small body size
c) Long lifespans and stable population sizes
d) High investment in individual offspring and low reproductive rates
Answer: b) High reproductive output and small body size

8. What is a common trait of K-selected species in terms of reproduction?
a) Reproducing frequently with many offspring
b) Investing significant time and resources into each offspring
c) Having a short reproductive period and high juvenile mortality
d) Displaying erratic population sizes and rapid growth
Answer: b) Investing significant time and resources into each offspring

9. In which environment would r-selection likely be favored?
a) Stable environments with consistent resources
b) Harsh, unpredictable environments with frequent disturbances
c) Environments with low competition and abundant resources
d) Environments with high competition and limited resources
Answer: b) Harsh, unpredictable environments with frequent disturbances

10. Which life history strategy would likely be advantageous for a species living in a competitive and stable environment with limited resources?
a) r-selection
b) K-selection
c) Both equally
d) Neither, as both are unsuitable
Answer: b) K-selection

MCQs on wildlife