Hybrids in Nature. Feathers The northern pintail and the mallard are two of North Americas most...
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Transcript of Hybrids in Nature. Feathers The northern pintail and the mallard are two of North Americas most...
Hybrids in Nature
Feathers
The northern pintail and the mallard are two of North America’s most abundant ducks. When a male from either species mates with a female of the other, the resulting hybrid combines the elegance and sophisticated markings of the pintail with the familiar sturdiness of the mallard.
Male northern pintail Male mallard Hybrid
Feathers
On the Great Plains of North America, the Bullock’s and Baltimore orioles interbreed freely, forming an extensive hybrid zone.
Male Bullock’s oriole Male Baltimore oriole Hybrid
Petals
Iris brevicaulis and Iris fulva have different primary pollinators– bumblebees and hummingbirds, respectively– which helps limit interbreeding in the wild. Crossbreeding in the lab or for horticultural purposes, however, produces a rich variety of blossoms.
Iris fulva HybridsIris brevicaulis
Petals
Helianthus annuus Helianthus petiolaris Helianthus anomalus
Hybridization in nature between two wild sunflowers led to the natural evolution of a third species. Differences among species are evident in green bracts on the flower’s undersides.
Shells
Slime
Yellow bellied toad European firebellied toad
These hybridize over a 3,000 mile-long, 6-mile-wide area in central Europe.The offspring of these matings are often deformed; many die as embryos.
Natural HistoryNovember, 2002
About 10% of all wildplant species may haveevolved via hybridization
Paradoxically, hybridsare often very hard to find in the heart of a hybrid zone.
Resistant to being pigeonholed,hybrids have long taxed the purists.