outbreeding

views updated May 18 2018

outbreeding Mating between unrelated or distantly related individuals of a species. Outbreeding populations usually show more variation than inbreeding ones and have a greater potential for adapting to environmental changes. Outbreeding increases the number of heterozygous individuals, so disadvantageous recessive characteristics tend to be masked by dominant alleles.

A Dictionary of Biology

outbreeding

views updated May 14 2018

outbreeding The crossing of plants or animals that are not closely related genetically, in contrast to inbreeding, in which the individuals are closely related. See also CROSS-BREEDING.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

outbreeding

views updated May 21 2018

outbreeding The crossing of plants or animals within a species which are not closely related genetically, in contrast to inbreeding, in which the individuals are closely related. See also cross-breeding.

A Dictionary of Ecology MICHAEL ALLABY

outbreeding

views updated May 29 2018

outbreeding The crossing of plants or animals that are not closely related genetically, in contrast to inbreeding, in which the individuals are closely related. See also CROSS-BREEDING.

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY