halfbrood
A half-brood refers to a litter or clutch of offspring produced by a female animal that has mated with multiple males over a short period. This means that all the offspring within the same litter are not full siblings; some share the same mother and father, while others share only the same mother but have different fathers. This phenomenon is common in various species, particularly in mammals and birds, where females may engage in mating with several males before or during their fertile period.
The genetic basis for a half-brood lies in the process of fertilization. A female's reproductive tract can
This reproductive strategy can offer several evolutionary advantages. For the female, mating with multiple males can