DNA fingerprinting and other methods for the study of mating success

Methods that allow the detection and verification of genetic relationships among organisms studied in the field have long been sought by workers in evolutionary biology. Since its inception just four years ago, DNA fingerprinting has already begun to fulfil its promise as a widely applicable solution to this problem. Here, recent progress with fingerprinting is discussed in the context of some other DNA techniques. In particular, the use of molecular methods is revolutionizing the study of mating systems.