Positive And Negative Effects Of Hybridization

Hybridization is perhaps the most rapidly acting genetic threat to endangered species, with extinction often taking place in less than five generations. With more and more species becoming hybridized. Potentially pushing parental species and populations out, and causing them to become endangered. As a result, the disappearance of native species can occur due to the invading species coming in and crossing with the natives to create hybrids that eventually take over the population. There is also the fact that humans are the main cause of hybridization occurring and the fact that it is continuing to occur. Regardless, in order to become aware of the threats that face natural species and populations is knowing what hybridization is. Hybridization

Alternatively, hybridization can decrease diversity through the breakdown of reproductive barriers, the merger of previously distinctive evolutionary lineages, and the extinction of populations or species" (Todesco et al. 2016).

While there is both negative and positive sides to hybridization, I will be focusing on the negative effects of hybridization and the different kinds of hybridization seen throughout the world, among different

In fact, Hybridization occurs more frequently than previously recognized and is an important source of speciation. Almost 50% of plant species originated from the hybridization of different species. Also, almost all vertebrates may have gone through an ancient hybridization event. As well as 10% of bird species are believed to hybridize with another species naturally. All of these things have led to a more genetically diverse world, and can be seen attributing to genetic diversity increasing evolutionary potential. When looking at hybridization, it has provided favorable conditions for major and rapid evolution to occur. Considering this, approximately one in ten species is known to be hybridized (Grant and Grant 1992). After all, genomes of all species have evolved over time through mutation and recombination. These genetic changes are the mechanisms that allow nature to be introduced to new phenotypes (Carvalho 2002). For example, the Red Wolf which is considered its own distinct species. The Red Wolf has been known to be historically ranged throughout the eastern United States, but declined to a few hundred individuals due to hunting and habitat loss. They are the intermediate between a coyote and a grey wolf, and are considered endangered because they are the last evolutionary lineage of the grey wolf (Wolf Conservation Center 201). When viewed over the long-term, introgressive