Question at position 17 As an r-selected species, what type of limiting factors would most commonly affect a population of field mice?density-dependentslow intrinsic growthresource capacitylogistically-independentdensity-independentClear my selection

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The question asks about which type of limiting factors would most commonly affect an r-selected species, such as field mice.
Option 1: 'density-dependent' — Limiting factors that depend on population density (like competition for resources, disease transmission, and predation that increases with more individuals) are more characteristic of K-selected species and of later phases of growth. For r-selected species, these density-dependent factors are less immediate in controlling rapid, opportunistic reproduction, so this choice is not the best fit.
Option 2: 'slow intrinsic growth' — r-selected species are defined by fast intrinsic growth rates and high reproductive output, not slow growth. Describing them as having slow intrinsic growth contradicts the core idea of r-selection, so this option is inaccurate.
Option 3: 'resource capacity' — This term isn’t a standard way to describe limiting factors in population dynamics. While resource availability is important, the phrasing here suggests a static capacity rather than the more dynamic influence of population density or environmental change. This makes the option less defensible as the primary limiting factor type for r-selected organisms.
Option 4: 'logistically-independent' — The term 'logistical' relates to logistic growth, which explicitly involves density dependence. Saying growth is 'logistically-independent' is conflated and does not correctly map onto the typical framework of population dynamics, making this option conceptually inconsistent.
Option 5: 'density-independent' — Limiting factors that are independent of population density (such as weather, natural disasters, or catastrophic events) align well with r-selected species, which tend to reproduce quickly to exploit transient opportunities and are often kept in check by such external, density-independent factors. This option best matches the characteristic limiting factors for r-selected populations.

Question at position 17 As an r-selected species, what type of limiting factors would most commonly affect a population of field mice?density-dependentslow intrinsic growthresource capacitylogistically-independentdensity-independentClear my selection

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