MATING SYSTEMS

MONOGAMY: Having only a single mate during a breeding season. Ranges from single-season to lifetime monogamy.
POLYGAMY: Having more than one mate during a breeding season.

• PROMISCUOUS: Both males and females have multiple mates during a breeding season.
• POLYANDRY: One female mates with two or more males.
• POLYGYNY: One male mates with two or more females.
  • FEMALE DEFENSE: Male defends and mates with a group of females, whereever they go.
  • RESOURCE DEFENSE: Male defends a resource (e.g., territory, food source, etc) and attempts to mate with females using the resource.
  • LEK: Males congregate in an area, and each male defends a very small, ritual territory, and female select male with which to mate.
  • SCRAMBLE: Males race around mating with as many females as they can