matrilines

Matriline refers to a line of descent traced through female ancestors; the term is used in anthropology, genetics, and animal behavior to describe kinship and lineage that are inherited along the female line. A matriline may be an unilineal descent group in which membership is determined by descent from a common female ancestor; in such systems, inheritance, succession, and clan membership often passes through daughters rather than sons.

In genetics, the matriline is the maternal line traced through mitochondrial DNA; because mtDNA is inherited from mothers to all offspring, it remains relatively unchanged across generations, enabling tracing of maternal ancestry and the construction of haplogroups.

In animal social structures, matrilines are observed when female philopatry leads to stable kin groups centered on a matriarch; elephants are a well-known example; groups are organized around the matriline, and males typically disperse.

In human societies, matrilineal descent refers to systems in which membership in a lineage, clan, or family is inherited through the mother’s line. Such systems can influence patterns of inheritance, succession, residence, and social responsibilities, though the presence and strength of matriliny vary across cultures.

See also: matriliny, matrilineal descent, patriline.