The mating of related animals is known as what?

The mating of related animals is known as inbreeding. This practice involves breeding animals that are closely related, such as siblings or parents with their offspring, to achieve desirable traits within a specific lineage. Inbreeding can help reinforce specific characteristics, as it often brings out the homozygous traits in offspring.

While inbreeding has its advantages, such as maintaining certain desirable traits within a breed, it also carries some risks, including the chance of increasing genetic defects, reducing genetic diversity, and heightening the potential for inherited health problems.

The other terms listed in the choices refer to different breeding strategies. Crossbreeding involves mating individuals from different breeds to produce hybrid vigor. Linebreeding is a more controlled form of inbreeding that aims to maintain a specific trait while minimizing the risks associated with inbreeding. Outcrossing refers to the breeding of unrelated animals to enhance genetic diversity and reduce the risks associated with inbreeding. Understanding these definitions helps clarify why the mating of related animals is specifically termed inbreeding.