Final answer:
Polygynous mating describes a situation where one male mates with several females, with females typically handling the majority of parental care. Resource-based polygyny, harem mating, and lek systems are all examples of polygynous mating strategies observed in different animal species.
Step-by-step explanation:
Polygynous mating refers to a situation where one male mates with multiple females. In such a mating system, females are typically left with the burden of providing most of the parental care, as the single male cannot adequately care for all offspring.
Resource-based polygyny is one example, where males compete for territories with the best resources to attract females.
In contrast, a harem mating structure is observed in species like elephant seals, where an alpha male controls the territory with resources and dominates mating within the group.
Another type of polygyny is the lek system, characterized by a communal courting area where males perform displays for the females to choose from, as seen in sage grouse and prairie chickens.
It's important to note that this is different from polyandrous mating, where one female mates with multiple males, and differences in mating systems can have significant implications for population dynamics and individual reproductive success.