Hybrid fertility and the rarity of homoploid hybrid speciation.

ABSTRACT: Hybrid speciation is increasingly being recognized as an important driver in diversification. Of the two forms of hybrid speciation, polyploid hybrid speciation is considered more common as it provides instant reproductive isolation either completely or partially, due to meiotic incompatibilities with the parental species. Homoploid hybrid speciation is considered rare, as it lacks the instant reproductive isolation conferred by polyploidy, though there are an increasing number of examples in the literature. Reproductive isolation in the nascent homoploid hybrid species is commonly achieved by niche divergence, often into territory with one or more forms of abiotic stress unsuitable for parental species. However, reproductive isolation may be due to factors beyond mere niche divergence. In

SUBMITTER: Sanders H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12269824 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature