Are cane toads r-selected species (r strategists) or k-selected species (k strategists)?

Cane toads (Rhinella marina) are considered r-selected species (r strategists). This classification is based on several biological and ecological characteristics.

1. Reproductive Strategies: R-selected species typically exhibit high reproductive rates, producing a large number of offspring in a short period. Cane toads lay thousands of eggs at once, which increases the likelihood that some will survive to adulthood.

2. Growth and Maturation: R strategists generally grow and mature quickly. Cane toads can reach maturity within a few months, allowing them to take advantage of favorable environmental conditions rapidly.

3. Survivorship: R-selected species often have lower parental care and higher juvenile mortality rates, which is evident in cane toads. Many eggs do not survive to the tadpole stage, and even fewer make it to adulthood.

4. Environmental Adaptability: R strategists can thrive in unstable or unpredictable environments, as they can reproduce and colonize new areas quickly.

In contrast, K-selected species (k strategists) typically invest more time and resources in raising fewer offspring, often exhibiting stable population dynamics in more predictable environments. Cane toads' life history traits align much more closely with r-strategy, emphasizing reproduction and rapid population growth. Hence, they are classified as an r-selected species.