Breeding that is non-random. If similar phenotypes breed together it is positive assortive mating and leads to * inbreeding. If dissimilar phenotypes breed together it is negative assortive mating and leads to * outbreeding. The pollinating mechanism often has a major influence on the breeding patterns found. Thus in insect-pollinated plants, the pollinator may preferentially take pollen to flowers of a certain colour or with certain markings. In wind-pollinated plants crossing is more likely to be random but there is a tendency for plants of the same height to cross. See also self incompatibility. |
