The use of gene frequencies in estimating the mean number of mates in a multiple-mate and stored-sperm system of mating.

As is the case with single-mate systems, random mating within a multiple-mate and stored-sperm system of mating generates a number of predictable mate-encounter patterns. Under a random matingmodel, the proportions of homozygous recessive females producing offspring in the distinct classes: i) dominant only, ii) dominant and recessive, and iii) recessive only, are shown to be a function of the mean number of matings per female. Accordingly, the validity of hypothesized mean numbers of matings per female may be tested through a comparison of observed and expected genotypic distributions. A number of mate-encounter patterns have low expected frequencies and may even fail to occur without producing significant changes in gene frequencies.