hybrid definition

Zonneveld, B.J.M. (Ben) zonneveld@nhn.leidenuniv.nl
Thu, 17 Jun 2010 01:36:29 PDT
After reading the interesting discussion on hybrids I like to add the
following : 
There are two different definitions for hybrids:

 1. The geneticist definition: A hybrid is a cross between two organisms
differing in one or more characters.
2.The taxonomist definition: A hybrid is a cross between two different
species.

Questions: One ( of the many ) problems with hybrids in the wild is
timing. Most of our plants are of hybrid origin. The question is: how
old must the hybrid be to be given species status?  100 years- a million
years?
Would hybrids be recognized as such as the parents no longer exist?

Ben J.M.Zonneveld
Nationaal Herbarium Nederland
POBox 9514
2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
telf 071 5274738
E-mail: Zonneveld@NHN.Leidenuniv.nl


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