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A mating system in which at least some females mate with more than one male is termed ________.

User Jon Mabe
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Final answer:

The mating system where females mate with more than one male is known as polyandry, differing from polygyny where one male mates with multiple females. Polygyny includes various forms, such as resource-based polygyny, harem mating, and lek systems, each with distinct characteristics observed in different animal species.

Step-by-step explanation:

A mating system in which at least some females mate with more than one male is termed polyandry. In this mating system, a single female may mate with multiple males. This contrasts with polygynous mating, where one male mates with several females. Polygyny can manifest in different forms, including resource-based polygyny, harem mating structures, and lek systems.

In the resource-based form, males compete for territories rich in resources to attract females, like in the case of the yellow-rumped honeyguide. In harem mating structures, a dominant male controls a territory and mates with multiple females within that territory, such as with elephant seals. The lek system involves males displaying in a communal area to be chosen by females, as seen in sage grouse and prairie chicken.

User Randy Marsh
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