inbreeding

(noun)

Breeding between members of a relatively small population, especially one in which most members are related.

Related Terms

Examples of inbreeding in the following topics:

  • The Incest Taboo, Marriage, and the Family

    • One potential explanation for the incest taboo sees it as a cultural implementation of a biologically evolved preference for sexual partners without shared genes, as inbreeding may have detrimental outcomes .
    • An intensive form of inbreeding where an individual S is mated to his daughter D1, granddaughter D2 and so on, in order to maximise the percentage of S's genes in the offspring.

  • Changing Human Behavior in Response to Biodiversity Loss

    • Additionally, if the captive-breeding population is too small, then inbreeding may occur due to a reduced gene pool, which may also reduce immunity.

  • The Spanish Habsburgs

    • Charles was physically and mentally disabled and infertile, possibly due to this massive inbreeding.