polygyny

(noun)

the mating patterns whereby a male copulates with several females

Related Terms

Examples of polygyny in the following topics:

  • Mating Systems and Sexual Selection

    • Three general mating systems, all involving innate as opposed to learned behaviors, are seen in animal populations: monogamous (monogamy), polygynous (polygyny), and polyandrous (polyandry).
    • In resourced-based polygyny, males compete for territories with the best resources.
    • A third type of polygyny is a lek system.

  • Women in Pre-Islamic Arabia

    • Under Islam, polygyny (the marriage of multiple women to one man) is allowed, but not widespread.

  • The Caste System

    • The institution of marriage was important, and different types of marriages—monogamy, polygyny and polyandry—are mentioned in the Rig Veda.

  • What is a family?

    • Historically, polygamy has been practiced as polygyny (one man having more than one wife), as polyandry (one woman having more than one husband), or, less commonly, as "polygamy" (having many wives and many husbands at one time).