The concept describes instances where the selection of mates within a population is not arbitrary. This departure from chance pairings arises when individuals exhibit preferences or avoidances for certain traits in potential partners. For example, if taller individuals consistently choose taller mates, or if individuals with a specific genetic disorder tend to mate with each other more frequently than predicted by chance, this constitutes a deviation from random mate selection.
This process can have significant consequences for the genetic makeup of populations. It can lead to increased homozygosity for particular traits, potentially exposing recessive alleles and affecting the prevalence of genetic disorders. Moreover, it influences the distribution of phenotypes within a population, driving evolutionary changes over time. Understanding the specific mechanisms and patterns involved is crucial for interpreting observed genetic variation and predicting future evolutionary trajectories in diverse species.
