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Type III survivorship curve

statistics

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A Type III survivorship curve illustrates organisms with a high death rate immediately following birth, and a low survivorship rate. This pattern is characteristic of many small mammals, fish, and invertebrates. In contrast to Type I curves (seen in large mammals with low juvenile mortality) and Type II curves (with constant mortality rates), Type III curves are initially very steep, indicating high mortality among the young. However, the curve flattens out as individuals who reach maturity survive for a relatively longer time. This type of curve is often seen in species that produce many offspring but provide little care for them, a strategy known as r-selection.12

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