Interspecific hybrids of animals - in nature, breeding and science – a review

Abstract

Interspecific hybrids called hybrids are individuals obtained by crossing two different species. Hybrids are found both in nature among wild animals but also have become attractive in animal husbandry due to the high production features of the F1 generation. Interspecific hybrids are observed in nature most often as a result of crossing closely related species, which is a great danger to the purity of the population of starting species. Interspecies hybrids are also created by man for production purposes. Due to disturbances in gametogenesis processes, they have become a valuable research model. In the article, we describe interspecific hybrids occurring in nature and related problems, interspecific hybrids created for production purposes in animal husbandry, but also research using hybrids as a research model. In the article we also highlight the issues of fertility of individuals obtained from such matings.

Evaluating hybrid speciation and swamping in wild carnivores with a decision‐tree approach

“…Introgressive hybridization between domestic animals and their wild relatives can also have extensive effects on phenotypic traits, which are widely perceived as a biodiversity threat (e.g., Gabryś et al., 2021; Randi, 2008; Rhymer & Simberloff, 1996). However, we argue that this very much depends on the circumstances.…”

“…First, prezygotic reproduction barriers often evolved as a consequence of selection against maladaptive interspecific matings, such as behavioral differences in mate choice, temporal segregation of mating season, differential communication signals, karyotypic differences, and gametic incompatibility (Mayr, 1963; Ramiro et al., 2015). Second, species divergence is often the result of ecological niche partitioning, which implies that intermediate, hybrid phenotypes have reduced fitness and are often selected against (Gabryś et al., 2021). This type of postzygotic barrier thereby contributes to the maintenance of distinct taxa.…”

“…Hybrid swarms often result from secondary contact with domestic animals or invasive species (Mooney & Cleland, 2001; Pereyra, 2016; Randi, 2008). Although hybridization with domestic animals is normally perceived as a biodiversity threat (e.g., Gabryś et al., 2021; Randi, 2008; Rhymer & Simberloff, 1996), some argue that it is not always a detriment and could provide adaptive advantages (Anderson et al., 2009; Coulson et al., 2011; Pilot et al., 2021; Schweizer et al., 2018).…”

Embryo production by in vitro fertilization in wild ungulates: progress and perspectives – A Review

“…This reinforces the fact that protocols of domestic species can be used as a starting point for studies on wild species. Furthermore, many closely related species can produce viable hybrid individuals in nature, such as hybrids of sika deer (Cervus nippon; 2n = 68) and red deer (Cervus elaphus; 2n = 68), and in genetic improvement trials, such as American bison (Bison bison; n = 60) with domestic cattle (2n = 60) (Gabryś et al, 2021). This knowledge is also useful for studies with IVF, as observed by Meintjes et al (1997), who produced zebroid embryos using Burchell's zebra (Equus quagga burchellii) sperm and Hartmann's zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae) oocytes for evaluating culture conditions.…”

Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) as a tool for interspecies hybrid detection

“…In the case of hybrid individuals, males are often more sterile than females (Yadav et al, 2019). Nature has developed various safeguards to limit interspecies hybridisation in the form of different mating seasons, differences in sperm acrosomes and in the intrauterine environment, and even the enzymes required by sperm to penetrate the egg cells, treating the sperm of a species as a foreign body by the female of another species (Gabryś et al, 2021;Yadav et al, 2019).…”