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Outcrossing is a term used in genetics for the mating of unrelated individuals in a population or species. It was originally used for the crossing of an inbred strain with the wild type.[1] Hybrid vigour is the great improvement in fitness which usually occurs as a result of outcrossing a previously inbred line.

Outcrossing leads to random mating, whereas mating of relatives leads to inbreeding.

References[change | change source]

  1. Futuyma D.J. Evolution. Sinauer, Sunderland, Massachusetts. p126