T. H. Clutton-Brock's lecture on mammalian mating systems discusses the diversity of mating strategies among mammals, including obligate monogamy, polygyny, and promiscuity. These strategies are influenced by factors such as the defensibility of females, female ranging behavior, and group size. Mammals show more variation in mating systems than birds, with over 90% being polygynous. Mating systems are associated with various forms of mate guarding, such as defending individual females, feeding territories, or female groups. Female mating systems include long-term monogamy, serial monogamy, polyandry, and promiscuity. The lecture highlights the importance of evolutionary theory and field studies in understanding these systems. It discusses how male and female mating behavior varies within species and how these behaviors are shaped by social and ecological factors. The lecture also explores the evolutionary significance of different mating systems, including why some males choose monogamy, why polygyny varies, and why some species exhibit cooperative or aggressive male interactions. The lecture concludes by emphasizing the need for further research to understand the factors influencing mating systems and their broader implications for demography, selection, and behavior.T. H. Clutton-Brock's lecture on mammalian mating systems discusses the diversity of mating strategies among mammals, including obligate monogamy, polygyny, and promiscuity. These strategies are influenced by factors such as the defensibility of females, female ranging behavior, and group size. Mammals show more variation in mating systems than birds, with over 90% being polygynous. Mating systems are associated with various forms of mate guarding, such as defending individual females, feeding territories, or female groups. Female mating systems include long-term monogamy, serial monogamy, polyandry, and promiscuity. The lecture highlights the importance of evolutionary theory and field studies in understanding these systems. It discusses how male and female mating behavior varies within species and how these behaviors are shaped by social and ecological factors. The lecture also explores the evolutionary significance of different mating systems, including why some males choose monogamy, why polygyny varies, and why some species exhibit cooperative or aggressive male interactions. The lecture concludes by emphasizing the need for further research to understand the factors influencing mating systems and their broader implications for demography, selection, and behavior.