The problems with hybrids: setting conservation guidelines

Population genetics of the Amazonian tortoises, Chelonoidis denticulata and C. carbonaria, (Cryptodira: Testudinidae) in an area of sympatry

“…A more plausible explanation is the introgression of C. denticulata mtDNA into C. carbonaria driven by hybridization between the females of C. denticulata and their hybrid offsprings, and males of C. carbonaria. Occurrence of introgressive hybridization events is higher in areas of sympatry or parapatry than in areas of allopatry (Taylor and McPhail, 2000) and particularly in areas where one species is expanding into the range of another species (see Ballard and Whitlock, 2004 for review), and is often associated with ecologically disturbed areas (Allendorf et al, 2001). Jerozolimski (2005) estimated densities of C. denticulata at 25.16-31.44 individuals per km 2 , while those of C. carbonaria were estimated at 7.87-20.14 individuals per km 2 .…”

Three Sykes's MonkeyCercopithecus mitis× Vervet MonkeyChlorocebus pygerythrusHybrids in Kenya

“…How do anthropogenic environments affect rates of hybridization? What are the implications of 'anthropogenic hybridization' for the conser vation of primate diversity (Allendorf et al 2001;Jolly 2001;Detwiler et al 2005)? The presence of these three apparent intergeneric hybrids also leads to questions related to cerco above questions would be shed by comparative research on these three hybrids and their parental species.…”

“…Natural hybridization is increasingly recognized as potentially playing an important function in the evolution Jolly et al 1997;Allendorf et al 2001;Barton 2001;Jolly 2001;Detwiler et al 2005;Arnold and Meyer 2006). Among Afri ca's primates, natural hybridization appears to occur most often along the edges of the geographic ranges of parapatric subspecies of the same species, or of parapatric species of the same 'species group' (i.e., 'superspecies').…”

Commented list of rare and protected vascular plants of inland water bodies of Estonia

“…The restricted world distribution of S. gramineum (scattered occurrence in Eurasia) and only one pure population in Estonia suggest that also mixed populations may be valuable for conservation. Considering the fastness of species extinction Allendorf et al (2001) propose to protect also complete admixtures containing the genes of disappearing species to avoid a complete loss of these species. Very probably, it is our future -in the time of more and more powerful genetics and disturbed ecosystems.…”