panmixia

[ pan-mik-see-uh ]

noun

, Animal Behavior.

1. random mating of individuals within a population, the breeding individuals showing no tendency to choose partners with particular traits.

panmixia

/ pænˈmiktik; pænˈmɪksɪs; pænˈmɪksɪə /

noun

1. (in population genetics) random mating within an interbreeding population

Derived Forms

• panmictic, adjective

Other Words From

• pan·mic·tic [pan-, mik, -tik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of panmixia¹

1885–90; pan- + Greek míx ( is ) mingling, mixing ( m ( e ) ig ( nýnai ) to mix + -sis -sis ) + -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of panmixia¹

C20: from New Latin, from Greek pan- + mixis act of mating

Example Sentences

There is nothing to prevent this, save panmixia, or the presence of free intercrossing.

From Project Gutenberg

Chologaster is in a stage of panmixia as far as the eye is concerned.

From Project Gutenberg

Panmixia, Romanes thinks, may have helped to discharge the color.

From Project Gutenberg

Panmixia, however, as Weismann has shown, would probably be the most important factor in causing blindness.

From Project Gutenberg

It seems that all the admitted objections to degeneration by panmixia apply with equal402 force to germinal selection.

From Project Gutenberg