Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026
09:15
Embryo Rescue Protocol for Interspecific Hybridization in Squash
Published on: September 12, 2022
Hybrid incompatibility "snowballs" between Solanum species
Leonie C Moyle1, Takuya Nakazato
1Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA. lmoyle@indiana.edu
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|September 18, 2010
Summary
Hybrid sterility, a reproductive barrier, arises from incompatible gene interactions. This study confirms the "snowball effect" theory, showing these genetic incompatibilities accumulate faster than linearly over time in Solanum plants.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Genetics
- Speciation
Background:
- Hybrid sterility is a key reproductive barrier limiting gene flow between species.
- The evolution of genetic incompatibilities is crucial for understanding speciation.
- Theoretical models predict a
Purpose of the Study:
- To empirically test the theoretical prediction of a faster-than-linear accumulation of hybrid incompatibility loci.
- To investigate the accumulation rate of quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with hybrid sterility.
- To compare the accumulation rate of sterility QTL with loci affecting other traits.
Main Methods:
- Utilized quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping in the plant genus Solanum.
- Analyzed the accumulation of genetic loci underlying hybrid seed sterility between species.
- Compared the accumulation patterns of sterility-related QTL with those of non-sterility traits.
Main Results:
- Provided empirical evidence for a faster-than-linear accumulation of hybrid seed sterility QTL.
- Confirmed the theoretical
Conclusions:
- The accumulation of genetic factors causing hybrid sterility follows a
Related Concept Videos
01:17Understanding Species and Reproductive Barriers
A species is a group of organisms that interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Typically, individuals of the same species appear similar and share common characteristics due to their highly similar genomes. However, not all organisms that look alike are members of the same species. Various mechanisms keep most species discrete. While some mechanisms prevent reproductive behavior and fertilization (pre-zygotic isolation), others prevent the production of fertile offspring after mating has...
01:18Dihybrid Crosses
Overview
02:29Hybrid Zones
Hybrid zones are narrow regions where two closely related species interact, mate, and produce hybrids. Relative to either parent species, hybrids may possess distinct phenotypic or genetic differences that impact their survival and reproductive success. The genetic variances introduced by hybridization influence species diversity and speciation processes within the hybrid zone.Gene flow and natural selection are evolutionary mechanisms that shape the outcome of a hybrid zone. Gene flow...
02:27Trihybrid Crosses
Trihybrid Crosses
Some of Mendel’s crosses examined three pairs of contrasting characteristics. Such a cross is called a trihybrid cross. A trihybrid cross is a combination of three individual monohybrid crosses. For example, plant height (tall vs. short), seed shape (round vs. wrinkled), and seed color (yellow vs. green).
The F1 generation plants of a trihybrid cross are heterozygous for all three traits and produce eight gametes. Upon self-fertilization, these gametes have an equal chance to...
Some of Mendel’s crosses examined three pairs of contrasting characteristics. Such a cross is called a trihybrid cross. A trihybrid cross is a combination of three individual monohybrid crosses. For example, plant height (tall vs. short), seed shape (round vs. wrinkled), and seed color (yellow vs. green).
The F1 generation plants of a trihybrid cross are heterozygous for all three traits and produce eight gametes. Upon self-fertilization, these gametes have an equal chance to...
02:16Genetics of Speciation
Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.The genetics of speciation involves the different traits or isolating mechanisms preventing gene exchange, leading to reproductive isolation. Reproductive isolation can be due to reproductive barriers that have effects either before or after the formation of a zygote. Pre-zygotic mechanisms prevent fertilization from occurring, and post-zygotic mechanisms...
01:20Monohybrid Crosses
Overview