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Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science pp 1–2Cite as

Iteroparity

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Synonyms

K strategy

Definition

A reproductive strategy characterized by multiple reproductive cycles over the course of a lifetime.

Introduction

The term iteroparity refers to a reproductive strategy characterized by multiple reproductive cycles over the course of a lifetime and contrasts with semelparity (see “Semelparity”). The iteroparous and semelparous reproductive strategies received special attention in the study of reproductive strategies of species (e.g., Cole 1954; Charnov and Schaffer 1973; Stearns 1976). Both reproductive strategies are observed in the plant and animal kingdoms. Humans (Homo sapiens) are an example of iteroparous species – humans are biologically capable of having several offspring during their lives. Iteroparous vertebrates include birds, reptiles, fishes, and mammals (Angelini and Ghiara 1984). Among invertebrates, most Mollusca and insects (e.g., cockroaches and mosquitoes) present an iteroparous reproductive strategy (e.g., Fritz et al. 1982). Most...

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References

  • Angelini, F., & Ghiara, G. (1984). Reproductive modes and strategies in vertebrate evolution. Italian Journal of Zoology, 51, 121–203.

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  • Stearns, S. C. (1976). Life-history tactics: A review of the ideas. Quarterly Review of Biology, 51, 3–47.

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  • Watkinson, A. R., & White, J. (1986). Some life-history consequences of modular construction in plants. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences, 313, 31–51.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

    Guilherme S. Lopes

Authors
  1. Guilherme S. Lopes
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Correspondence to Guilherme S. Lopes .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Todd K. Shackelford

  2. Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Viviana A. Weekes-Shackelford

Section Editor information

  1. Westfield State University, Westfield, MA, USA

    Joseph A Camilleri

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Lopes, G.S. (2018). Iteroparity. In: Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2061-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2061-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

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