assortative mating

[ə-ˈsȯr-tə-tiv ˈmā-tiŋ]
noun
acasalamento assortativo
1. A pattern of mating in which individuals with similar phenotypic or genetic traits preferentially mate with one another, rather than mating randomly within a population
In humans, assortative mating based on height means that taller individuals tend to mate with other tall individuals.
No acasalamento assortativo baseado em altura, indivíduos mais altos tendem a se acasalar com outros indivíduos altos.
2. The tendency of organisms to choose mates that are genetically or phenotypically similar to themselves, increasing genetic similarity in offspring
Assortative mating can reduce genetic diversity in a population over successive generations.
O acasalamento assortativo pode reduzir a diversidade genética em uma população ao longo das gerações sucessivas.
This is a technical term primarily used in evolutionary biology, genetics, anthropology, and population studies. It is more commonly discussed in academic and scientific contexts than in everyday language. The concept has gained increased attention in human studies, particularly regarding assortative mating for traits like intelligence, education level, and socioeconomic status in modern societies.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
positive assortative matinglike-with-like matinghomogamous mating
Antonyms / Antônimos
disassortative matingnegative assortative matingrandom matingpanmixia

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
acasalamento assortativo
Standard scientific term used in biology and genetics texts across Brazil
Portugal
acasalamento assortativo
Same terminology used in Portuguese academic and scientific literature
USA
assortative mating
Primary term used in English-speaking scientific communities and educational contexts

Related Words

sexual selectionmate choicephenotypegenetic driftHardy-Weinberg equilibriumpopulation geneticshomogamyheterogamy

Related Idioms & Phrases

birds of a feather flock together
like marries like
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