Question

A dog gives birth to three puppies one year. three years later, she gives birth to six puppies. which type of life history pattern is characteristic of this organism?

Answer 1

The answer is iteroparity.

There are two reproductive strategies among living organisms: semelparity and iteroparity. Semelparity is characterised by only one reproductive episode before death. It is characteristic for some insects, molluscs, and fish. Iteroparity is characterised by multiple reproductive episodes before death. It can be found among most insects, molluscs, fish, and reptiles, as well as among all birds and mammals. Thus, a dog, as a mammal, and, in this example with two reproductive episodes, belongs to iteroparous organisms.