Hybrids

The chapter on hybridism applies the same definition of species that we have discussed in class a couple of times already. This is the biological definition of species which states that organisms able to breed fertile offspring with each other are of the same species and those that cannot are of separate species. This does, however, have to limited to acts in nature and not in captivity as captive animals often play by different rules than their wild counterparts. Some species can and do interbreed both in the wild and in captivity. This act between species is hindered and often prevented by a number of obstacles, such as space, time, mating preference, unsuccessful fertilization, ability produce viable offspring or ability to produce fertile offspring (175).

Let's briefly take each in turn. 1)Time can be the opposite seasons in which two species living in the same area become fertile. 2)The distance two species are away from each other (space) needs no explanation. 3)Mating preference refers to sexual selection which through either genetic-based or learned inclinations cause an individual to choose one mate over the other. 4)Unsuccessful fertilization can mean many things. It could be due to physical constraints occurring during attempted intercourse, female defense systems fighting off unfamiliar sperm or the females preference of one sperm over another when two types are present, to name a few. 5)Finally, both spontaneous abortions, the result of nonviable offspring, and successful birth of sterile offspring represent other barriers for interspecies breeding.

It is important to remember that healthy, fertile offspring are produced in nature and in the lab. This is possible because all species were at one time mere varieties, or races, within a species, so the lingering similarities between the two can allow reproduction.

What hybrids can look like:

real: http://www.worldsamazings.com/2009_02_01_archive.html

not as real: http://www.freakingnews.com/Hybrid-Animals-Pictures--563-0.asp