nonrandom mating


as·sort·a·tive mat·ing

selection of a mate with preference for (or aversion to) a particular genotype, that is, nonrandom mating. Synonym(s): nonrandom mating

nonrandom mating

any mating in a population where crosses between the various types of individuals do not occur in the frequencies that are expected by chance. Two major types of nonrandom mating can be distinguished: between individuals that are related (see INBREEDING), and between individuals with similar phenotypes (see ASSORTATIVE MATING).