polygynian

Polygynian is a term used to describe a social system within animal species where one male mates with multiple females. This is a form of polygamy, specifically polygyny. In a polygynian system, the reproductive success of the male is directly related to the number of females he can successfully monopolize and mate with. This often leads to intense competition among males for access to females.

The females in a polygynian system typically live in groups, and a single male may defend a territory that encompasses these females or a harem. This can result in a skewed sex ratio of reproductive success, with a few males fathering a large proportion of the offspring. Examples of species exhibiting polygynian behavior can be found across various animal groups, including mammals like lions and seals, birds such as grouse, and even some insects.

The evolutionary pressures that favor polygyny often relate to resource distribution and the relative parental investment by males and females. When resources are patchy and defensible by a single male, or when females are relatively mobile and can be easily acquired by a dominant male, polygyny can become an advantageous mating strategy. This system can also influence the social structure and dynamics within a species, leading to distinct male and female roles and behaviors.