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panmixia

American  
[pan-mik-see-uh] / pænˈmɪk si ə /
Also panmixis

noun

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


panmixia British  
/ pænˈmɪksɪs, pænˈmiktik, pænˈmɪksɪə /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • panmictic adjective

Etymology

Origin of panmixia

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Dwindling by natural selection is here out of the question; and dwindling by panmixia, i.e. the diminution of a structure when natural selection ceases to affect its degree of development, "would be incredible, even were the assumptions of the theory valid."

From Project Gutenberg

Moreover, the convinced Neo-Darwinian is not in the least prepared to abandon the theory of dwindling in the course of panmixia, especially in the light which Weismann's conception of Germinal Selection has thrown on this process.

From Project Gutenberg

Thirdly, according to my view of the action of panmixia as previously explained, no total discharge of colouration is likely to be caused by such action alone.

From Project Gutenberg

And this line of evidence is invalidated by Panmixia.

From Project Gutenberg

Such is the principle which Weismann calls Panmixia, because, by the withdrawal of selection from any particular part, promiscuous breeding ensues with regard to that part.

From Project Gutenberg