Introduction. Extent, processes and evolutionary impact of interspecific hybridization in animals.
Since the time of Charles Darwin, studies of interspecific hybridization have been a major focus for evolutionary biologists. Although this phenomenon has often been viewed as problematic in the fields of ecology, taxonomy and systematics, it has become a primary source of data for studies on speciation and adaptation. Effects from genetic/evolutionary processes, such as recombination and natural selection, usually develop over extended periods of time; however, they are accelerated in cases of hybridization. Interspecific hybrids exhibit novel genomes that are exposed to natural selection, thus providing a key to unravel the ultimate causes of adaptation and speciation. Here we provide firstly a historic perspective of hybridization research, secondly a novel attempt to assess the extent of hybridization among animals and thirdly an overview of the reviews and case studies presented in this theme issue.
Department of Ecology and Evolution, J. W. Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, 60054 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. k.schwenk@bio.uni-frankfurt.de
Klaus
K
Schwenk
Nora
N
Brede
Bruno
B
Streit
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D043344:Chordata / Q000235:genetics*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D017753:Ecosystem; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000235:genetics*