semelparity (big-bang reproduction) The condition of an organism that has only one reproductive cycle during its lifetime. It is well exhibited by Antechinus; males die after mating (typically in autumn, in their first year of life), so the entire population overwinters as pregnant females. Compare ITEROPARITY.

semelparity The strategy of reproducing only once during a lifetime, after which death is inevitable, even if the reproductive event is unfruitful. Semelparous organisms include most annual and biennial plants and representatives from most invertebrate animal taxa; vertebrate examples include the Pacific salmon and Atlantic eel. Compare iteroparity.

semelparity(big-bang reproduction) The condition of an organism that has only one reproductive cycle during its lifetime. Compare iteroparity.