iteropaar

Iteroparity, or iteroparous reproduction, is a reproductive strategy in which an organism reproduces more than once during its life. This contrasts with semelparity, where individuals reproduce only once and then die—a big-bang reproductive strategy. Iteroparous species typically allocate resources across several reproductive events, balancing growth, maintenance, and reproduction to maximize lifetime reproductive success.

The strategy is common among long-lived species and in environments where adults have a reasonable chance of surviving from year to year, enabling multiple bouts of reproduction. Reproductive output is often spread over time, with events that may be seasonal or irregular. Clutch sizes per event tend to be smaller than those of semelparous species, reflecting a trade-off between current and future reproduction.

Evolutionary and ecological factors influence the evolution of iteroparity. In stable or predictable environments with relatively high adult survival, spreading reproduction over multiple years can increase fitness. In highly unpredictable or harsh settings, semelparity may sometimes be favored, but many species remain iteroparous due to advantages such as parental care, maintenance of body condition, or continued opportunities for future breeding.

Taxonomic scope is broad. Iteroparity occurs in many animals, including most mammals and birds and numerous reptiles and fishes, as well as in many perennial plants such as trees and shrubs that flower across multiple seasons. Examples include humans, elephants, whales, and a wide range of bird species, along with various perennial trees. See also semelparity and life-history theory.