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Cited by 867Genetic diversity and population structureEcology and Vegetation Dynamics StudiesEvolution and Genetic Dynamics

Hybridization and extinction

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Todesco, Marco, Pascual, Mariana A., Owens, Gregory L., Ostevik, Katherine L., Moyers, Brook T., Hübner, Sariel, Heredia, Sylvia M., Hahn, Min A. +3 more·2016·Evolutionary Applications
DOI 10.1111/eva.12367PMC PMC4947151
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Abstract

Hybridization may drive rare taxa to extinction through genetic swamping, where the rare form is replaced by hybrids, or by demographic swamping, where population growth rates are reduced due to the wasteful production of maladaptive hybrids. Conversely, hybridization may rescue the viability of small, inbred populations. Understanding the factors that contribute to destructive versus constructive outcomes of hybridization is key to managing conservation concerns. Here, we survey the literature for studies of hybridization and extinction to identify the ecological, evolutionary, and genetic factors that critically affect extinction risk through hybridization. We find that while extinction risk is highly situation dependent, genetic swamping is much more frequent than demographic swamping. In addition, human involvement is associated with increased risk and high reproductive isolation with reduced risk. Although climate change is predicted to increase the risk of hybridization‐induced extinction, we find little empirical support for this prediction. Similarly, theoretical and experimental studies imply that genetic rescue through hybridization may be equally or more probable than demographic swamping, but our literature survey failed to support this claim. We conclude that halting the introduction of hybridization‐prone exotics and restoring mature and diverse habitats that are resistant to hybrid establishment should be management priorities.

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  • Gene flow between species may weaken reproductive barriers, potentially resulting in the merger of species.

    “On the one hand, it may weaken reproductive barriers, potentially resulting in the merger of species (Todesco et al., 2016; Figure 3).”

    From Genomics of plant speciation (2023) · cites this paper as Todesco et al., 2016

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Authors
Todesco, M., Pascual, M. A., Owens, G. L., Ostevik, K. L., Moyers, B. T., Hübner, S., Heredia, S. M., Hahn, M. A., Caseys, C., Bock, D. G., & Rieseberg, L. H.
Affiliations
  • University of British Columbia (CA)
  • Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research Centre University of British Columbia Vancouver BC Canada
Corresponding author
Rieseberg, Loren H.
ORCID
Venue
Evolutionary Applications
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2016-02-22
Volume
9
Issue
7
Pages
892-908
ISSN
  • 1752-4563 (ISSN-L)
  • 1752-4571
DOI
10.1111/eva.12367
PMC
PMC4947151
OpenAlex
W2287803853
Cited by
867
References
3
Citations by year
2026: 74 · 2025: 116 · 2024: 83 · 2023: 100 · 2022: 110 · 2021: 106 · 2020: 83 · 2019: 69 · 2018: 48 · 2017: 64 · 2016: 13
FWCI
8.65
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Evolutionary Applications (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Human Frontiers in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship
  • NSERC Graduate Fellowship
  • US National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship
  • Swiss National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic diversity and population structure
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
Keywords
hybridization, extinction risk, genetic swamping, reproductive isolation, inbred populations, invasive species, climate change, conservation management

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