Final answer:
Promiscuity is the mating system where males and females mate with multiple partners without forming a pair bond, differing from monogamy which involves a single pair bonded throughout at least one mating season, and from polyandry and polygyny where multiple mates are involved for one of the sexes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mating system in which males and females mate with one or many of the opposite sex without forming a pair bond is known as promiscuity. In contrast to promiscuity, monogamy refers to a mating system where one male and one female remain paired for at least one mating season, and sometimes these associations can last a lifetime.
Specifically, the term polyandry derives from Greek words meaning 'many' and 'man,' and describes a mating system where one female mates with many males. This is different from polygyny, where one male mates with many females. Polyandrous mating systems are more rare, partly because females typically invest more energy into offspring production and care.