Dear Nahuel, actually these are very different terms, in my opinion: mating systems are the structures necessary for mating (copulatory organs, etc), while mating strategies are the specific behaviors that lead to copulation. Reproductive strategy however, is related to the nature of the reproduction: gonochorism/hermaphroditism, oviparity/viviparity. 

But that is in my opinion. I hope it helps.

Best, 

Ana

Dear Ana,

Thanks for your answer. Basically I agree with your definitions, which are clear indeed.

However by just googling ” mating system” you will find plenty of different definitions that either focus on or mix behavioral, anatomic and ecological traits, even among the most authoritative sources (may be I am biased to decapod literature at this point). The first generalizing examples that come to my mind are the classic of Emlen and Oring (1977) in which they attempt an "ecological classification of mating systems" including the many different forms of monogamy and polygamy (nothing to do with anatomic structures here), or Shuster (2008) that defines quite broadly the mating systems as "the circumstances in which reproduction occurs within individual species" (therefore almost any variable or factor you can imagine affects reproduction, either intrinsic or extrinsic). 

So I still feel that we biologists do not have clear working definitions to group the elements and processes relatod to reproduction. Perhaps the difficulty for conceptually compartmentalizng  the reproductive process has to do with the plasticity and interdependence of all the components involved (behavior, anatomic structures, physiology, habitat structure and other).

Hopefully other may add more to this point.

Emlen S, Oring L (1977) Ecology, sexual selection, and the evolution of mating systems. Science (80- ) 197:215–223.

Shuster SM (2008) The expression of crustacean mating strategies. In: Oliveira RF, Taborsky M, Brockmann JH (eds) Altern. Reprod. tactics an Integr. approach. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 224–250

The answer depends on which systems you are studying, and in which taxa.  Reproductive strategy is very broad and may include both asexual and sexual strategies, each of which may exist in many forms.  Asexual, parthenogenetic, and many hermaphroditic sexual strategies may not involve mating at all.  Among animals, the concept of mating may also vary considerably among copulating forms, spermathecal exchangers, as well as broadcast spawners.  Plants, protists, and other organisms also show considerable diversity, so those studying different groups have developed varied terminologies.  My book covers many animal strategies and systems:

Conn, D. B. 2000. Atlas of Invertebrate Reproduction and Development, Second Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York. 315 pp.

Dear David,

Thanks a lot for your answer and the reference. Sadly I do not have access to your book. It looks very interesting to those who studying invertebrate biology.

My question was originally motivated by a discussion with a Reviewer who criticized my use of the terms mating system, mating strategy and reproductive system. Therefore the need to know more about the actual meaning of these terms.

I understand from your answer that we have not (nor we will have) a common, single definition useful to group and compare the processes involved in reproduction of all taxa. However, Ana (above) provides a very specific definitions for each term. Is interesting that having just two answers we have two rather different opinions.

From this very small survey I conclude that to date the best practice may be defining each term in each case.