Hybridization and speciation

Hybridization has many and varied impacts on the process of speciation. Hybridization may slow or reverse differentiation by allowing gene flow and recombination. It may accelerate speciation via adaptive introgression or cause near-instantaneous speciation by allopolyploidization. It may have multiple effects at different stages and in different spatial contexts within a single speciation event. We offer a perspective on the context and evolutionary significance of hybridization during speciation, highlighting issues of current interest and debate. In secondary contact zones, it is uncertain if barriers to gene flow will be strengthened or broken down due to recombination and gene flow. Theory and empirical…

• SR
  Sight Research UK

  Awards: NE/K014021/1, NE/H004521/1, NE/D014166/1, NE/G018375/1, NE/H010548/1, NE/G01504X/1, NE/F003102/1
• ES
  European Science Foundation
• BA
  Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

  Award: BB/G006903/1
• NE
  Natural Environment Research Council

  Awards: NE/K014021/1, NE/G01504X/1, NE/G018375/1, NE/D014166/1, NE/H010548/1, NE/H004521/1, NE/F003102/1