mating mark

plural mating marks

1. rarebiologyA lasting mark or wound sustained during copulation in certain species.

   The male crab observed in this study did not have mating marks prior to picking up the female.

   1966, Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada, volume 23, numbers 7-2, page 1323

   2 more examples

   Dependable indicators of female mating activity have been revealed, but mating activity of males has only been indirectly inferred through examination of so-called “mating marks”, presumably created during the premating embrace between a male and female.

   2006, Justin C. Ainsworth, "An evaluation of the use of mating marks as an indicator of mating success in male Dungeness crabs", thesis submitted to Humboldt State University, page iii

   Observations of female White Sharks with relatively recent mating marks are rare in CC [Central California].

   2012, Michael L. Domeier, Global Perspectives on the Biology and Life History of the White Shark, page 165

   Synonyms: claiming bite, claiming mark, mating bite

2. fictionIn speculative erotica, a scar or mark on a person's body signifying their permanent bond to another, typically the result of a bite.

   Especially not after seeing a mating mark on Wilder's shoulder.

   2017, Rosa Swan, My Mate's Mark, unnumbered page

   2 more examples

   As romance novels often end with a marriage, ABO fics will often end with the mating mark.

   2019, Tessa Barone, "Just Go Find Yourself a Nice Alpha: Gender and Consent in Supernatural Fandom's Alpha/Beta/Omega Universe", thesis submitted to Oregon State University, page 10

   He wore no mating mark on his neck, but he often referred to us as his “pack.”

   2019, Kallie Traylor, Divided We Fall, unnumbered page