[Campbell Biology P.1249] Which of the following organisms mentioned in the text is an exampl... | Practice Question

Which of the following organisms mentioned in the text is an example of semelparity, and what characterizes this reproductive strategy?

  • A: Loggerhead turtle; reproduces multiple times throughout its life.
  • B: Coho salmon; reproduces once in a "big-bang" event and then dies.
  • C: Agave; reproduces annually for many years.
  • D: Daphnia; has a very long reproductive lifespan.

Explanation

The text explicitly states: 'The coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch is often only three or four years old when it spawns... The salmon eventually returns to the same stream to spawn, producing thousands of eggs in a single reproductive opportunity before it dies.' This description perfectly matches the definition of semelparity, which is a 'one-shot' pattern of big-bang reproduction followed by death.