iteroparity

Iteroparity is a reproductive strategy where organisms reproduce recurrently over a span that typically covers a significant portion of their lifespan. This contrasts with semelparity, where organisms reproduce only once, usually near the end of their lives, followed by rapid senescence and death.1

Iteroparous organisms, which include most vertebrates, longer-lived insects, crustaceans, spiders, mollusks, and perennial plants, do not need to survive until the end of their reproductive phase to reproduce successfully. Their senescence is gradual, and reproductive performance typically declines with age. For example, while some small rodents and birds may only survive 10-20% of their potential reproductive lifetimes, larger mammals like whales and elephants can live through 50% or more of their reproductive spans.1