Question

multiple choice 2 points. which of the following choices matches this figure? percentage of maximum life - span. dolphins produce only single offspring at a time and provide parental care for many months. crab spiders produce hundreds of tiny offspring, most of which do not survive. during mating frenzies male and female squid aggregate and release hundreds of eggs and sperm into the water column. the fertilized eggs are often quickly preyed on by fish. the century plant grows for many years and reproduces and releases hundreds of seeds just once before it withers and dies. because of the dry desert environment in which it lives, many of the seeds do not survive or are eaten. none of the above. previous

Explanation:

The graph shows a type - III survivorship curve where organisms have high mortality early in life and low survival to later life. Dolphins have a type - I survivorship curve with high survival early and late in life. Crab spiders, squid, and the century plant produce many offspring with high early - life mortality, which is characteristic of a type - III curve. But we need to match the description with the curve's characteristics. Dolphins' behavior does not match the curve. Crab spiders, squid, and the century plant all have high early - life death rates due to producing large numbers of offspring with little parental care, which is consistent with the type - III curve shown.

Answer:

All of the options except the one about dolphins (Crab spiders produce hundreds of tiny offspring, most of which do not survive; During 'mating frenzies' male and female squid aggregate and release hundreds of eggs and sperm into the water column. The fertilized eggs are often quickly preyed on by fish; The century plant grows for many years and reproduces and releases hundreds of seeds just once before it withers and dies. Because of the dry desert environment in which it lives, many of the seeds do not survive or are eaten) could potentially match the type - III survivorship curve shown in the graph as they all involve high early - life mortality due to large numbers of offspring and little parental care. If we assume we can only choose one, the crab spiders option is a good representative as it directly mentions high early - life mortality of offspring. So the answer is: Crab spiders produce hundreds of tiny offspring, most of which do not survive.