What combination of life history traits characterizes the Whooping Crane's evolutionary strategy based on K-selection?

Answer

Delayed maturity, low annual output, and high individual longevity.

The Whooping Crane's life history is a direct reflection of K-selection, an evolutionary approach favored in stable, predictable environments where high numbers are less important than the survival of the few offspring produced. Key components of this strategy include a significant delay before reaching sexual maturity, typically between four and seven years of age. Furthermore, they have a very low annual reproductive output, usually producing only one fledgling per pair per year. This low rate of replacement is balanced by a long lifespan, with individuals frequently living past 22 years in the wild, allowing them many chances to reproduce successfully over their lifetime, provided they survive environmental stability.

What combination of life history traits characterizes the Whooping Crane's evolutionary strategy based on K-selection?

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