Thread: Mating system /Pop genetics

Hi !

I would like to know if it's possible to have different mating system within the same population ?
I'm asking the question because, according to the population genetic's definition of a population, the individuals of the same population have a non-nil probability to mate each other. What do you think of this ?

Thanks in advance

Well, it's sort of taken for granted. If organisms are the same species, it's taken for granted that any member of one sex could mate with any member of the other sex. Could being the operative word.

The combination of circumstances and the wild variety of different strategies among various species narrow the chances down for any given individual, but that's how it works. Seeing as population genetics is about how genes do and don't spread or combine or die out within populations you have to start with the possibility/probability of mating in the first place.

If you mean could the same population have one group that mates in a "lek" arrangement and another that mates for life with females responsible for the feeding range, it seems pretty doubtful. It's possible that first year reproduction strategies may differ from mature strategies in some populations but someone who really knows this stuff would need to come up with some evidence for that. I can't think of any myself.

Originally Posted by Naemoekey

Hi !

I would like to know if it's possible to have different mating system within the same population ?
What do you think of this ?

Thanks in advance

Anything is possible within each species.

Thank you very much for your answers.
The question is extract from exam's annals, I'm training on this.

If you mean could the same population have one group that mates in a "lek" arrangement and another that mates for life with females

Yeah that more the idea, sorry my question was not very clear (english is not my mother tongue).

When I said "mating system" I speak about things like homogamy, heterogamy, autogamy.
For me the answer is yes but the definition of a population in Pop Genetics give me a doubt because that integrates a reproductive dimension, individuals of the same population are supposed to show a unity in reproduction...
Quite difficult question..