What is "polygynandry"

n. Having an exclusive relationship with two or more partners (for either sex, in animals or in humans)

Polygynandry is a reproductive strategy that occurs when two or more males have an exclusive sexual relationship with two or more females. The numbers of males and females need not be equal. In vertebrate species studied so far, the number of males usually is lower than the number of females in their breeding groups. Some animals follow this behavior regularly, others resort to it in uncharacteristic circumstances.

Polygynandrous groups often will contain related males. The advantage of this form of sexual behavior is greater genetic diversity, less need for males to compete with each other, and greater protection for, and nurturing of, the young.

Polygynandry also may occur in mating systems that typically are polygynous, when a population becomes too large for males to maintain exclusive harems successfully.