Question

Differentiate between seasonal breeders and continuous breeders.

Answer 1

Hint: Seasonal breeders are the organisms that can reproduce only during a certain period of time in the year whereas the continuous breeders reproduce throughout the year.

Complete answer:
Seasonal breeders are animal species that successfully mate during the certain times of the year. These times of the year enhance the survival of the young ones due to the factors such as availability of the food and water, surrounding temperature and changes in predation behavior of other species.
The female seasonal breeders have one or more estrus cycles only when she is `in season’ or fertile receptive for mating. On the other hand male seasonal breeders exhibit changes in testosterone levels, tests weight and fertility depending on time of the year.

Continuous breeders are the animal species that can breed or mate throughout the year.
In continuous breeders the males and the females are sexually receptive and capable of mating irrespective of the season. The females under this category undergo cyclic changes (menstrual cycle) and males are able to copulate anytime.

Note: The factor that determines when seasonal breeders will reproduce is its hormonal influence. This occurs specifically through changes in production of hypothalamic secretions which produces reproductive responses in both males and females.