What types of organisms are considered r selected?
1 Answer
R-selected organisms, those emphasizing a fast growth rate, high number of offspring, include rabbits, bacteria, salmon, plants such as weeds and grasses, etc.
Explanation:
The strategy for R-selected organisms includes producing a lot of offspring, producing them often, and having a relatively short lifespan. R-selected species usually don't care for offspring, whereas k-selected species such as orangutans will provide care (orangutan offspring live with their mothers for up to eight years).
Examples include rabbits, bacteria, salmon, plants such as weeds and grasses, etc. Many insects are r-selected. For example, ants can be considered r-selected. Plants such as dandelions are another good example of an r-selected species.
The r/k selection theory should be thought of as a spectrum. Some organisms may produce a medium number of offspring but those offspring still grow quickly and the parents provide little care. Sea turtles are a good example of a species that fits somewhere in the middle. The produce many eggs and do not care for their offspring once the eggs have been laid, but turtles live very long lives.
