Question

ice have short lives in the wild due to predation. They also reproduce early and have many young in this first reproductive event. If mice were not so vulnerable to predation, how do you think this reproductive strategy would change? Why?

Answer 1

predation play important roles in determining small mammal population dynamics.

If predation is more than for survival that particular species will reproduce more and have many offsprings in single event i.e. the mice

Mice are r- strategist.

Those organisms described as r-strategists typically live in unstable, unpredictable environments. Here the ability to reproduce rapidly (exponentially) is important. Such organisms have high fecundity (glossary) and relatively little investment in any one progeny individual, they are typically weak and subject to predation and the vicissitudes of their environment. The “strategic intent” is to flood the habitat with progeny so that, regardless of predation or mortality, at least some of the progeny will survive to reproduce. Organisms that are r-selected have short life spans, are generally small, quick to mature and waste a lot of energy.

If mice were not so vulnerable to predation then the might change their reproductive strategy i.e. from r to k-strategist

K-strategists, occupy more stable environments. They are larger in size and have longer life expectancies. They are stronger or are better protected and generally are more energy efficient. They produce, during their life spans, fewer progeny, but place a greater investment in each. Their reproductive strategy is to grow slowly, live close to the carrying capacity of their habitat and produce a few progeny each with a high probability of survival.