Which type of mating biases toward phenotypically similar mates?

Positive assortative mating occurs when individuals tend to choose mates that are phenotypically similar to themselves. This type of mating can enhance the expression of certain traits within a population, contributing to the prevalence of specific phenotypes over generations. An example of positive assortative mating is when individuals with a particular trait, such as size or coloration, preferentially mate with others that exhibit the same trait. This behavior can lead to increased homozygosity for those traits, potentially reinforcing certain characteristics within the population.

In contrast, random mating does not favor any specific traits, while negative assortative mating refers to the preference for mating with individuals that are phenotypically dissimilar. Inbreeding involves mating between closely related individuals, which can increase the risk of genetic disorders and reduce genetic diversity. Therefore, positive assortative mating is distinctively characterized by the preference for similar phenotypes, resulting in a more pronounced distribution of those traits in the subsequent generations.