assortative mating

noun

Meaning

A form of non-random mating in which individuals with similar phenotypes or genotypes mate with each other more frequently than would be expected by chance.

Examples

  • Positive assortative mating often leads to an increase in homozygosity within a population.
  • Researchers observed assortative mating patterns in the local lizard population based on body length.

Synonyms: non-random mating, homogamy, positive assortative mating, disassortative mating