Polystigmous is an adjective used to describe a particular social structure found in some animal species, especially insects and birds, wherein individuals form multiple long-term partnerships or breeding pairs simultaneously. This term derives from the Greek words "poly," meaning many, and "stigma," meaning mark or sign.
In polystigmous species, males and females may form new partnerships while still maintaining their existing ones. This differs from monogamous species where individuals typically form only a single breeding pair. Polystigmous animals often engage in cooperative behaviors, such as nesting or raising offspring together, to ensure the success and survival of their offspring.
The concept of polystigmous mating systems is commonly observed in bird species such as certain waterfowl, pigeons, and raptors. In these species, both males and females may have multiple partners and engage in extra-pair copulations. This allows for increased genetic diversity within the population and may confer various benefits, such as higher breeding success or enhanced offspring survival rates.
Polystigmous behavior can also be observed in certain social insects, like certain ants or bees. In these cases, multiple queens may exist within a colony, each mating with different males to diversify the genetic makeup of the colony and ensure its long-term survival.
Overall, polystigmous describes a social structure where individuals engage in multiple simultaneous partnerships or breeding pairs, often found in certain insects and birds.
