Which species are characterized by Type III survivorship?

Type III survivorship is characterized by species that produce a large number of offspring, but those offspring experience high mortality rates at an early age. This strategy is often seen in organisms such as many fish, amphibians, and invertebrates, where the emphasis is on quantity over quality in terms of reproduction. While these species ensure that a few offspring survive to adulthood, the majority face significant challenges that lead to their early demise, such as predation, environmental factors, or resource scarcity.

In contrast, species that invest heavily in parental care and produce fewer offspring tend to exhibit Type I survivorship, where most individuals survive to old age. Those living in stable environments or exhibiting equal survival chances across all ages align more with Type II survivorship. Thus, the defining characteristic of Type III survivorship is the strategy of producing many progeny while accepting that most will not survive, making high mortality rates for young individuals a hallmark of these species.