How Evolution Creates Hybrid Animals

Right now coyotes, wolves, and dogs are creating a hybrid canine. How does this happen in the wild?


Read More:

Greater than the sum of its parts
“It is rare for a new animal species to emerge in front of scientists’ eyes. But this seems to be happening in eastern North America”

Hybrid vigor between native and introduced salamanders raises new challenges for conservation
“Hybridization between differentiated lineages can have many different consequences depending on fitness variation among hybrid offspring. When introduced organisms hybridize with natives, the ensuing evolutionary dynamics may substantially complicate conservation decisions.”

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[reccaman]

My favorite hybrid of animals are the teenage mutant turtles, 50% Teenagers, 50% Mutants, 50% Turtles 100% Radical.

[alyssamsipe]

They forgot to mention how grizzly bears and polar bears are breading, they are better up north where the climate is getting warmer than usual.

[friedkeenan]

4:07 Yes, the shirt... I was staring at the shirt...

[anjaninator]

you know what i like more than evolution?



knowledge.

[BananaMike]

don't forget groaler bears, polar/grizzly hybrids happening in the wild

[BlackEpyon]

Current favorite hybrid? Savannah. Cross between Leptailirus serval and Felis catus. I've got an F6 (6 generations removed from the wild cross).

[thomaskn]

"A Liger. It's pretty much my favorite animal. It's like a lion and a tiger mixed ... bred for its skills in magic."

[Gears_Starting]

I say that diversity in the genetic composition is a good thing if done naturally and is not forced as in no outside interference (such as humans bringing the two creatures together in a controlled environment specifically to mate simply to do it) is done. If something works, then it simply works. Diversity can allow for offspring to be more verse and more resilient which helps survival and overall composition such as what we saw here with the wolves in the Eastern United States. The numbers were getting low for the wolves and they found a way to increase their numbers by mating with the animals from their own species. And a plus is that the genetic diversity allowed their offspring to be more adaptable and thrive.

[mastring]

There was a documentary about the Congo river. Not only is that river freakishly long, but it's divided up because of the way the water flows over certain areas. Smaller fish can't cross between zones but a few of the larger fish species can.

Same fish, different parts of the river have changed to fit the environment. Evolution in action, observable and with the larger fish as a control group.

[kylestephens]

she says, "evolution is when two animals who are closely related mate"...

[JadenTapscott]

Someone actually found a grizzly/polar bear hybrid in the wild. People call it a pizzly bear.

[jeremylynes]

Good example of micro evolution, not to be confused with macro evolution which allegedly creates new species, like the whale from a cow....fraught with difficulty.

[TheKeatonWarrior]

Did used to really like Ligers but Coywolves are totally my new favorite!

[RandallWilks]

I am reminded of the joke about two kids arguing about which animal is meanest. One kid claimed it was a 'Crocagator'; an animal with an alligator's head on one end and a crocodile's head on the other.
"O.k. wise guy" said a dubious companion, "how the hell does he poop?"
"That", said the first boy, "is what makes him so damn mean!" ;-)

[texmex]

In personal opinion while it is sad that the more common animals that we know are either dissappearing or being phased out to hybridization, It is best. Encroachment by humans means these animals to to survive in very difficult situations. The animals that are able to adapt are the ones who can survive a changing world. Pretty soon these hybrids may be the common to are grandchildren, who knows.

[markzambelli]

Dogs of all types trace their evolutionary line to wolves in the first place so that hybrjd makes sense.

[jackiethegoldenjackal]

why arent all the mokeys humans by now?

[slikkidikki]

Would love to see a lynx bear hybrid it would be a absolute beast

[gratefulpianist]

Julia:dig the shirt that I am wearing
Joerg Sprave: nan a safety t-shirt is better

[johnlemus]

Bovid Hybrid Bison. By Breeding some of the few remaining American Bison with Cattle they hope to bring the animals back from the brink of extinction. I kind of love them. They are super chill animals. They also have some really pretty coats. Some archaeologist, I think, recently found some cave paintings that looks really similar to the modern hybrid. Grolar Bears are also super cool.