cycads are gymnosperms that were diverse and abundant during the mesozoic era. extant species of cycads share many traits with those from the mesozoic era. cycads bear cones, are long-lived with slow growth rates, show late reproductive maturity, and have very few offspring. based on this description, the cycads are responses k-strategists with a type i survivorship curve. k -strategists with a type i survivorship curve. r-strategists with a type iii survivorship curve. r -strategists with a type iii survivorship curve. k-strategists with a type iii survivorship curve. k -strategists with a type iii survivorship curve. r-strategists with a type ii survivorship curve.