Hybrids

["Steve Read via Canberrabirds " <>]

Geoffrey – this is the well known, but little understood, phenomenon of ‘hybrid vigour’, or heterosis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterosis

There are a couple of avian examples. The phenomenon is more frequent, I think, when the two parent species have or have had relatively small population sizes or gene pools.

 

Note however that a more rapid initial growth rate in a hybrid may equate to subsequently lower disease resistance or maladaptation in another trait.

 

Steve

 

From: Canberrabirds <> On Behalf Of Geoffrey Dabb via Canberrabirds
Sent: Saturday, 14 June 2025 12:26 PM
To: Canberrabirds <>
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Hybrids

 

Are there other examples that suggest natural hybrids of full species may be better adapted to survive than parent species, perhaps in new environments?  I am reminded of the remarkable breeding success of our hybrid honeyeater at Jerra wetlands.  No doubt many examples of hybrids bred for the purpose from subspecies, like hybrid salmon in Tasmania,  livestock (cattle in arid Australia).

 

 

 

 

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