ScienceSeptember 3, 2026
outcrossing
OWT-kraw-sing
Definition
The practice of cross-fertilizing or mating individuals that are not closely related, which helps to maintain genetic diversity within a population.
Etymology
The word is a compound of 'out' (meaning external or apart) and 'crossing' (referring to the breeding of different strains or individuals), a term used in biology since the late 19th century to describe breeding outside of one's own immediate group.
In the news
In the article, the authors note that low inbreeding coefficients in the coral Oulastrea crispata indicate that outcrossing is the dominant mating strategy, which helps maintain genetic health.
Genetic Structure and Environment-Linked Loci in a Resilient Coral Along Eutrophication Gradient
Read the full article ↗Bioengineer.org