Intergeneric and interspecific hybrids
Jamie (Fri, 11 Jun 2004 00:37:54 PDT)

Jim,

one must let go of the old-fashioned conception of species. In the scheme
of evolution, all things are related! It is this degree of relationship
which allows us to give them designations .

Questioning our definition of "what is a species" was going on even when
Mons. Soulange-Bodin crossed the two Magnolias, but that they were "species"
was not really the question, just our perception of what is a species. One
must consider that, as the point in history when the concept was created,
immuatability was an important social criteria embedded in many philosophies
and religions. Today, we realize, as you mentioned, all is not what it
seems. Species, even genera, can be interfertile. In the end, species is
just a handle with wich we attempt to hold on.

Species evolve and disappear, much like rivulets after a rainstorm. Flowing
into and away from each other. Such is the fluidity of genetics. The
different races of dogs are a perfect example, as they represent our
selective breeding for traits. Should these races remain isolated long
enough, they would become species.

Hybrid vigour is an interesting point, as it would tend to point to a
relationship between the parents, which, through being bred together, has
resurfaced. Exactly what we are seeing probably varies from combination
to combination, as this is just as often not the case. With M.
Xsoulangiana, the off-spring are not particularly fertile from my
experience. Possibly due to the chromosomes not really suiting each other
and dividing poorly during meiosis.

In short, as this can become a long and weary argument, one direction or the
other, our concept of species is being constanly re-designed, as we
understand more of the genetic mechanism. At the moment, it is not very
satisfactory, but it is all we have.

Interesting area for consideration, isn't it?

Jamie V.
Cologne

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim McKenney" <jimmckenney@starpower.net>
To: "Pacific Bulb Society" <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2004 12:20 PM
Subject: Re: [pbs] Intergeneric and interspecific hybrids

Mexico,

words

wolf-rat,

correct...