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Monogamy is a mating strategy involving a pair bond between two individuals who mate exclusively with each other, often for a significant period or for life. This strategy may have evolved due to the high demand of parental investment required to raise offspring in certain environments.

Polygyny is a mating strategy where a male mates with multiple females. It typically evolves in environments where resources that males can monopolize are abundant and female fertility can be maximized by one male's access to several females.

Polyandry is a mating strategy where a female mates with multiple males, which may result in sperm competition and ensures genetic diversity in the offspring. This can also be a female strategy for maximizing resources provided by males for the offspring.

Polygynandry is a mating strategy where multiple males form pair bonds with multiple females simultaneously. This strategy can be advantageous in ensuring genetic diversity and equalizing parental investment among adults.

Serial monogamy is a mating strategy where an individual forms a monogamous pair bond but only for a limited duration, before moving to another monogamous relationship. This allows for a high parental investment while still promoting genetic diversity.

Extra-pair mating occurs when an individual that is in a social monogamous relationship reproduces with someone other than their mate. It can provide genetic benefits and may evolve if the cost of getting caught is less than the genetic gains.

In female defense polygyny, males protect and mate with a group of females from other males. This often arises in species where females are clumped together in the environment, making it possible for males to defend them as a group.

Resource defense polygyny involves males controlling resources that females require, effectively attracting and mating with multiple females. This strategy may evolve in environments where critical resources for female reproductive success are scarce and defendable.

Mate scramble competition is a strategy where individuals race to exploit transient opportunities for mating. It often occurs in species with brief mating periods or when females become receptive suddenly and unpredictably.

Mate guarding is a tactic wherein a male follows and defends a receptive female from other potential mates. This strategy is prevalent when there is high sperm competition and a limited window for female receptivity.

Lekking involves males gathering in a common area, known as a lek, to display and compete for female attention. Females visit the lek to choose a mate based on these displays, which can lead to high variance in male reproductive success.

Sneaker males adopt a mating strategy where they attempt to stealthily fertilize eggs while avoiding direct competition with dominant males. This is common in species where there are large differences in male fighting ability or resource control.

Satellite males employ a strategy where they position themselves close to a dominant male to intercept females attracted to the dominant male. This is a way to take advantage of the dominant male's efforts without the cost of territorial defense.

Dominance hierarchies in mating involve individuals with higher status having greater access to mating opportunities. This hierarchy, often established through physical contests, allows females to select mates with proven qualities.

In sex role reversed species, the typical gender roles in mating are swapped, with the females competing for males who invest heavily in parental care. This occurs when male parental care is a limiting factor for reproductive success.

Sexual imprinting involves individuals developing mate preferences based on the characteristics of their parents, typically the opposite-sex parent. This facilitates mating with genetically similar individuals and can reinforce species recognition.

Concealed ovulation is a human reproductive strategy where females hide signs of their most fertile period. This can promote monogamy by making paternity assurance difficult and encouraging continuous male investment.

Extended sexuality refers to humans engaging in sexual activity beyond the fertile period. It can strengthen pair bonds, provide social benefits, and can be a strategy to confuse paternity, ensuring male investment in offspring.

The dual mating strategy, hypothesized for females, involves seeking genetic benefits from a superior genetic male while obtaining resources and parental investment from another. This strategy can lead to extra-pair mating while maintaining a primary bond.