Question

Which of the following organisms
produce a small number of large-sized
offspring?
(1) Pelagic fishes
(2) Ciliates
(3) Oysters
(4) Elephants

Answer 1

May be Option 4 because elephant is a mammal so it can reproduce one offspring for one time and it is large sized

Answer 2

Elephants produce a small number of large-sized

offspring. (option 4)

• Pelagic fishes, Ciliates, and Oysters show r-type of selection in which there is a large number of small-sized organisms are produced.
• These all are small-sized prey organisms fed by most of the large predators. Therefore, to ensure continuity of species, these produce a large number of offspring at a time, spending less energy.
• Elephants show K-type selection in which a small number of a large-sized organism is produced capable of surviving better. They spend a large amount of energy to ensure better selection and survival of their offspring and species.
• Moreover, Elephants have a long life span compared to r- selected species.
• K-selected species also show parental care absent in r-selected species.