r selection

Ecology.

selection occurring when a population is far below the carrying capacity of an unstable environment: tends to favor individuals that reproduce early, quickly, and in large numbers so as to make use of ephemeral resources and ensure that at least some offspring survive.

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Nearby words

r & d, r and r, r factor, r horizon, r plasmid, r selection, r wave, r&b, r&d, r, r, r-banding stain

Also r-se·lec·tion

[ahr-si-lek-shuh n] /ˈɑr sɪˌlɛk ʃən/.

Compare K selection.

Related forms

r-se·lect·ed

[ahr-si-lek-tid] /ˈɑr sɪˌlɛk tɪd/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019