Succession of r and K Strategists in Parasitoids

Abstract

The concept of r and K strategems and their development during the evolution of organisms is certainly not new, although these particular terms to describe the process have been used for only a short period of time. As a matter of fact, the concept is implicit in some of the writings of Charles Darwin, among others. But, however old the basic theory is, there is presently a great deal of uncertainty as to how important these stratagems are in the functioning of organisms within ecological communities. There have also been questions as to whether or not genetic selection can proceed in the manner prescribed by the concept; even the appropriateness of the symbols “r” and “K” have been criticized. And to add to the dilemma, I suppose it is not altogether suitable to use the term “stratagem” when discussing the r and K theory since the dictionary defines stratagem as an artifice—a trick or way to deceive the enemy—and certainly this is a questionable manner in which to describe the process of evolution or development at any level of an ecosystem.