Crossing species' range borders: interspecies gene exchange mediated by hybridogenesis

The distribution of species is limited by their ability to adapt to local environments. For adaptation by selection, genetic variability is crucial. As founder effects reduce genetic variability, extension of species' range borders is usually slow due to the reduced probability of successful colonization. However, the range limit might be extended by incorporating locally adapted genes. In western Palaearctic waterfrogs, interspecies hybrids show hemiclonal gametogenesis, are fertile and reproductively mimic one parental species. Genetic analysis, using allozyme loci, shows that they mediate gene exchange between the two parental species. Selection analysis provides evidence for local adaptation of single locus genotypes. This suggests that hybridogenesis presents a process which increases the number of neoform parental genotypes, exposing these to selection, and thereby revealing locally adapted genotypes which are essential for species range expansion.