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Mad Lab Squad
Hybrid Animal
What is a hybrid?
Hybrids are offspring that are created by animals of different species. Hybrid species inherit both features of their parents where in some cases the hybrid inherits more features of one parent. Hybrid species however, have many protective barriers that inhibits it’s growth and sometimes reduces its lifespan.
Reproductive Barriers
Reproductive barriers contain two groups of barriers which are Prezygotic Barriers and Postzygotic Barriers. Prezygotic barriers block fertilization from occurring. Habitat Isolation, Temporal Isolation, Behavioral Isolation, Mechanical Isolation and Gametic Isolation are the prezygotic barriers that block the fertilization from occurring. Postzygotic barriers contribute to reproductive isolation after the hybrid zygote is formed. Reduced Hybrid Viability, Reduced Hybrid Fertility and Hybrid Breakdown are postzygotic barriers that contribute to reproductive isolation after the zygote is formed.
Prezygotic Barriers
Habitat Isolation
Habitat isolation is when two species have no possible way of interacting due to the different habitats they live in such as forests or mountain ranges.
The garter snake is an example of habitat isolation. One garter snake live mainly in water while the other on land.
Temporal Isolation
Temporal isolation is when a species reproduce in different seasons; times of the day and at different time cannot possibly reproduce. For example, a species that breeds in the summer cannot breed with species that breed in the winter.
The western spotted skunk(mate in the summer) is and the eastern spotted skunk (mate in winter) are an example of temporal isolation
Behavioral Isolation
Behavioral isolation is when different courtship techniques and other behaviors that are unique to a species are effective reproductive barriers.
The eastern meadowlark and the western meadowlark that have similar features but have different songs and behavioral patterns that prevents them from reproducing.
Mechanical Isolation
Mechanical isolation is when species try to mate but cannot due to morphological difference.
The Mimulus or the monkey flower is an example of mechanical isolation. Though Mimulus flower has many different types they cannot reproduce.
Gametic Isolation
Gametic isolation is when the sperm of once species cannot fertilize the eggs of another species.
The sea urchin is an example of gametic isolation. When sea urchins release their sperm and eggs into the water it is hard for them to develop if the sperm or egg is coming from a different species of sea urchins.
Postzygotic Barriers
Reduced Hybrid Viability
Reduced Hybrid Viability is when two different species are genetically incompatible which may lead to the abortion of the growth of the hybrid.
The Ocelot-Puma is an example of reduced hybrid viability. When the Puma and Ocelot reproduce they yield a hybrid cross offspring that cannot drink its mother's milk leading to its death.
PUMA OCELOT
Reduced Hybrid Fertility
Reduced Hybrid Fertility is when two species reproduce and yield a hybrid cross that is sterile or is unable to fertilize an egg.
The horse and the donkey is and example of reduced hybrid fertility. When the horse and the donkey reproduce a hybrid cross called a mule that cannot reproduce.
HORSE DONKEY
Hybrid Breakdown
Hybrid breakdown is when the offspring of the first-generation hybrids are sterile are feeble.
The mule is an example of hybrid breakdown. It is a sterile hybrid cross that will eventually breakdown.
Cool Hybrid ANimal: The Savannah Cat
The Savannah Cat is hybrid cross between an African Serval and a domesticated house cat.Though the Savannah Cat has one foreign parent, (The African Serval) it originated from the United States. This beautiful cat is much larger then a domesticated due to the body structure of the African Serval. This three generation cat breed is fairly tall and lean with long legs and a long neck. Its body is covered in black spots with some bars on a golden/tawny brown color and light colored belly. The Savannah Cat is an adored and rare cat breed that is sold for expensive prices in the United State. This cat breed when born needs close intensive care and a lot of love to help it grow healthy.
Savannah Cat(Felis catus × Leptailurus serval
Cat breed
Phylum: Chordata, Choanozoa
Class: Mammal
Kingdom: Kingdom Animalia
Higher classification: Cat
Origin: United States of America
Rank: Hybrid
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