Can Different Species Reproduce With Each Other?

  • Thread starter Nothing000
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In summary, reproductive isolation is the defining characteristic of different species not being able to reproduce with each other. This is due to their genes being too different, which can lead to various effective causes such as physical appearance not being attractive to potential mates or incompatibility in embryo development. Some species, like horses and asses, are close enough to produce a viable offspring, but those offspring are sterile. This is because their genetic differences prevent them from producing viable offspring. This phenomenon is known as hybridization and occurs in various species across the animal kingdom.
  • #1
Nothing000
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Why is it that different species can not reproduce with each other?
 
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  • #2
Because that's the definition of what it means to be "different species".
 
  • #3
Nothing000 said:
Why is it that different species can not reproduce with each other?

THe technical term is reproductive isolation. The root cause is that their genes are too different, but this can produce various different effective causes. Perhaps the members of the species will just not look attractive to each other. And if the members do mate (or are forced to mate in the laboratory) the different genes may make it impossible for a viable zygote (initial single cell of the offspring) to form, or if formed to successfully attach to the placenta (in mammals), or if attached to successfull develop thorugh all the stages of embryology.

Some species, such as horses and asses, are close enough to produce a viable offspring (mule or hinny), but those offspring are then sterile.

Mutation and selection do tend to produce reproductive isolation, and human scholars then use reproductive isolation to define species, but that definition is not quite perfect. There are several cases of organisms which exist in populations spread out in a line like beads on a string. Each population will breed fertilely with its neighbors on either side, but the two populations at the end of the "string" are reproductively isolated. How many species is that? Or consider my ever-recurring example of North American canids. Wolves, coyotes, domestic pooches, none of them entirely reproductively isolated from the others.
 
  • #4
selfAdjoint said:
THe technical term is reproductive isolation. The root cause is that their genes are too different, but this can produce various different effective causes. Perhaps the members of the species will just not look attractive to each other. And if the members do mate (or are forced to mate in the laboratory) the different genes may make it impossible for a viable zygote (initial single cell of the offspring) to form, or if formed to successfully attach to the placenta (in mammals), or if attached to successfull develop thorugh all the stages of embryology.

Some species, such as horses and asses, are close enough to produce a viable offspring (mule or hinny), but those offspring are then sterile.

...
I have always wondered about how this happens. What exactly explains that they can reproduce but necessarily have sterile offsprings? What is the exact mechanism for that to happen? It is fascinating that such a situation could occur. It would seem that either reproduction would be impossibel *or* it would lead to viable offsprings (viable in the sense of able to reproduce themselves). How does this work?
 
  • #5
selfAdjoint said:
Some species, such as horses and asses, are close enough to produce a viable offspring (mule or hinny), but those offspring are then sterile.

That is extremely interesting. I didn't even know that horses and donkeys could produce offspring. I thought mules were a species of their own. What other combinations of species can create sterile offspring like that?
 
  • #6

1. Can different species mate and produce offspring?

It is possible for different species to mate and produce offspring, but this is rare and usually only occurs between closely related species. The offspring may also be infertile or have reduced viability.

2. What are the potential consequences of mating with a different species?

The potential consequences of mating with a different species include genetic incompatibilities, reduced fertility or viability of offspring, and potential disruption of natural ecosystems.

3. How do different species recognize and choose a mate?

Different species have different mechanisms for recognizing and choosing a mate. This can include visual cues, chemical signals, and behavioral displays. In some cases, similar physical characteristics or behaviors may also play a role.

4. Can interspecies mating occur in the wild?

Yes, interspecies mating can occur in the wild, particularly in cases where closely related species share overlapping habitats or breeding areas. However, these occurrences are usually rare and may not result in successful reproduction.

5. Is interspecies mating ethical or beneficial for the species involved?

The ethics and potential benefits of interspecies mating vary depending on the specific circumstances and species involved. In some cases, it may contribute to genetic diversity and adaptation, while in others it may have negative consequences. It is important for scientists to carefully consider the potential impacts before attempting to facilitate interspecies mating.

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