iteroparous

Iteroparous describes organisms that reproduce on multiple occasions during their lives. This life-history strategy involves successively investing in growth and maintenance between reproductive events, allowing several bouts of offspring production. It contrasts with semelparous species, which reproduce once and may die soon after.

In animals, iteroparity is common among mammals, birds, reptiles, many fishes, and numerous invertebrates. Humans, elephants, and most birds reproduce repeatedly. Some fishes, such as steelhead trout, spawn several times, whereas many salmon populations are semelparous. In plants, perennials commonly flower and set seed across multiple years, in contrast to annuals that typically reproduce once.

Key features of iteroparity include repeated reproduction over years or seasons, longer potential lifespans, and energy allocation that balances current reproduction with future opportunities. Offspring per event is often smaller than in semelparous species, but lifetime fecundity can be high. Iteroparity is favored in more stable environments where adult survival is relatively high, enabling individuals to breed again after growth.

Evolutionarily, iteroparity can reduce the risk of total reproductive failure by spreading it across time and can be advantageous when resources are predictable. Its persistence in populations depends on relatively high adult survival and the availability of suitable habitat.