How do genes shape the success or failure of hybrids? This review examines the genetic basis of hybrid fitness, exploring the genetic architecture of both hybrid inferiority and increased fitness. The research synthesizes available evidence to understand the evolutionary importance of natural hybridization. The review argues that hybrid inferiority, such as sterility or inviability, results from widespread negative epistasis in the hybrid genetic background. Conversely, increased hybrid fitness is explained by the segregation of additive genetic factors, with a limited role for epistasis. This work sheds light on the complex genetic factors influencing hybrid fitness and the evolutionary significance of hybridization. The findings have implications for understanding speciation and adaptation in diverse biological systems.
Published in Annual Review of Genetics, this research is directly relevant to the journal's focus on genetic principles and evolutionary processes. By exploring the genetic basis of hybrid fitness, the review aligns with the journal's scope of genetics. The findings have implications for evolutionary biology, speciation, and the role of hybridization in adaptation.
| Category | Category Repetition |
|---|---|
| Agriculture: Plant culture | 188 |
| Agriculture: Animal culture | 185 |
| Science: Biology (General) | 153 |
| Science: Biology (General): Ecology | 147 |
| Science: Biology (General): Evolution | 137 |