EXTINCTION BY HYBRIDIZATION AND INTROGRESSION

1996/11/01 by Judith M. Rhymer, Daniel Simberloff · 2,455 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Biology #Ecology #Evolutionary biology #Extinction (optical mineralogy) #Fauna #Gene #Gene flow #Genetic diversity and population structure #Genetic variation #Genetics #Introgression #Paleontology #Plant Taxonomy and Phylogenetics #Plant and animal studies #Zoology

paper · doi:10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.27.1.83

published in Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 27(1), 83-109 (Annual Reviews)

openalex publication_date 1996/11/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/06

Abstract

▪ Abstract Nonindigenous species can bring about a form of extinction of native flora and fauna by hybridization and introgression either through purposeful introduction by humans or through habitat modification, bringing previously isolated species into contact. These phenomena can be especially problematic for rare species coming into contact with more abundant ones. Increased use of molecular techniques focuses attention on the extent of this underappreciated problem that is not always apparent from morphological observations alone. Some degree of gene flow is a normal, evolutionarily constructive process, and all constellations of genes and genotypes cannot be preserved. However, hybridization with or without introgression may, nevertheless, threaten a rare species' existence.

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Related

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