scramble competition polygyny

Scramble competition polygyny is a mating system where males compete for access to females by trying to locate them before other males. This behavior is driven by the males' ability to move and find mates, rather than defending resources or females directly. This type of polygyny is thought to occur when females or the resources they are attracted to are not easily defendable.1

This contrasts with other forms of polygyny, such as female defense polygyny where dominant males guard a group of females, or resource defense polygyny where males protect resources that attract females. Sperm competition, which occurs when females mate with multiple males, can also influence mating strategies and lead to adaptations like mate-guarding or physical removal of rivals' sperm.12