Impact

IMPORTANT TRANSITIONS ARE HAPPENING ON OUR PLANET NOW

Image by Dave Inman. Blondie.

Now, more than ever, animals and plants are transitioning, from one species to another, meeting and mixing in the middle, in a process known as hybridization. Climate change and human activity are major factors. Is it a bad thing or a good thing?

Lynx Hybrid - A "Rare" White Exotic Kitten

Say hello to coydogs, lynxcats, pizzlies, and more beautiful new creatures. They evolved uniquely, from individual species, when changes to their native habitats forced them to move, reshuffle, and mingle with each other.

Coydog.

As wolves were eradicated when regional forests were cleared for human development, a new kind of coyote began to appear in western New York State. They appeared to be larger that native species.

Coywolf. Eastern wolf-coyote hybrid.

These new kind of coyotes were also better suited to take down native deer. Once studied, the coyotes’ DNA was found to contain 25% wolf and 10% dog genes. Areas with the highest densities of deer had coyotes with the greatest proportion of wolf in their genomes.

Lawrence's Warbler. Hybrid of Golden-wing and Blue-winged Warblers.

As the Arctic climate warms, golden-winged warblers have increasingly been crossing with blue-winged warblers in the U.S. Northeast and eastern Canada. Southern flying squirrels have been hybridizing with northern flying squirrels. And there are more examples emerging.

Male Southern Flying Squirrel.

Many scientist and conservationists believe that hybridization will degrade biodiversity as unusual species are lost to genetic homogenization and pure species go extinct. But, in many cases, hybrids lose out in the competitive race for survival, and pure species re-emerge.

Coywolf

Some conservation efforts are now being focused on the preservation of species, to guard against an overrun of hybridization. For example, in the southeastern US, wildlife managers are attempting to sterilize coyotes so they won’t hybridize with the critically endangered red wolf, recently reintroduced to coastal North Carolina.

But some scientists disagree with these measures being taken. They believe that hybridization has a role to play in future conservation. Rather than try to protect rare species, they believe biologists should consider the potential adaptive benefits from genomic transfers.

Erythronium Flower. Hybridized.

These scientists see hybridization as an evolutionary shortcut which threatens some species but enables others to survive and prosper. They point out, that since the beginning of time, plants and animals have evolved into new species, that have subsequently crossed species repeatedly.

Polar Bear.

Heliconius hybrid.

When studying the evolution of mimicry, the Royal Society looked at the complete sequencing of genomes from many butterflies and found that wing pattern genes have been transmitted between closely related species by sexual hybridization.

Heliconius melpomene aglaope Butterfly.

This implies that interbreeding between species can transfer beneficial genetic variation. This has been further evidenced by the recent discovery of hybridization between humans and Neanderthals.

While some argue that hybrids are less fit, others argue that hybrids may be more fit. Some argue hybrids reduce biodiversity, while others argue that they add to it.

Coywolf.

The coywolf boasts both the advantages of coyote stealth and wolf robustness, which has helped this hybrid to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape.

Florida Panther in a tree.

Hybridization has actually saved species from extinction. The isolated and severely inbred population of Florida panthers was saved when 8 female cougars of a different subspecies were introduced and allowed to interbreed.

Hybrid Butterfly.

As our planet transitions, life on it must do the same. And whether we like the changes that are taking place or not, whether they are caused by human interventions or other natural forces, we marvel as we watch transitions unfold.

Red Wolf watching Deer at Cades Cove - Great Smoky Mountains.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

Image: by Dave Inman. Blondie.
Image: Courtesy of Lynx Hybrid. Lynx Hybrid - A "Rare" White Exotic Kitten.
Image: by Michelle Pierlot. Courtesy of Coydog. Loca.
Image: Courtesy of Forest Wander. Coywolf. Eastern wolf-coyote hybrid.
Image: by Dominic Sherony. Lawrence's Warbler. Hybrid of Golden-wing and Blue-winged Warblers.
Image: by Leah. Male Southern Flying Squirrel.
Image: by Jon Way, of Eastern Coyote Research. Coywolf.
Image: by Valerie. Right place, right time.
Image: by Cynthia Cheney. Erythronium Flower. Hybridized.
Image: by Trasroid. Polar Bear.
Image: Courtesy of Royal Society. Heliconius hybrid.
Image: Courtesy of Royal Society. Heliconius melpomene aglaope Butterfly.
Image: by Jon Way. Coywolf.
Image: by Mark Lotz, Courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region. Florida Panther in a tree.
Image: Courtesy of Distant Hill Gardens. Hybrid Butterfly.
Image: by B. Crawford. Courtesy of Red Wolf. Red Wolf watching Deer at Cades Cove - Great Smoky Mountains.
Image: by Vicki DeLoach. Red-spotted Purple on butterfly bush.
Image: by BN App - Download now!
Image: by Janice Reid. Courtesy of The Owl Pages. Sparred Owl - Barred / Spotted Owl Hybrid, Female.