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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Interspecific and Intraspecific Hybridization?

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Interspecific hybridization and intraspecific hybridization are two different processes involving the mating of genetically distinct individuals. The main difference between the two lies in the species of the individuals involved:

  • Interspecific hybridization: This process involves the mating between individuals of different species, usually from the same genus. The offspring resulting from this cross may have desirable features from both parents. Some examples of interspecific hybrid animals include the mule (horse and donkey), liger (tiger and lion), and zebroid or zonkey (zebra and donkey). Interspecific hybridization can also occur in plants, such as the tangelo (a hybrid between two citrus genera).
  • Intraspecific hybridization: This process involves the mating of two individuals from the same species, but with different genetic backgrounds. In other words, it occurs within the same species and can involve different sub-species within a single species. Intraspecific hybridization is also known as selective breeding and is often used in plant and animal breeding to develop desirable phenotypes or traits. An example of intraspecific hybridization in animals is the cross between Siberian tigers and Bengal tigers, which results in an intraspecific hybrid.

Both interspecific and intraspecific hybridization aim to combine desirable genes present in different organisms and produce pure-breeding progenies with desired traits.

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  • What is the Difference Between Interspecific and Intraspecific Hybridization?
  • Comparative Table: Interspecific vs Intraspecific Hybridization

    • Comparative Table: Interspecific vs Intraspecific Hybridization

    Here is a table comparing interspecific and intraspecific hybridization:

    Feature Interspecific Hybridization Intraspecific Hybridization
    Definition The mating process between two individuals from distinct species. The mating process between two individuals from the same species.
    Gene Flow Gene flow occurs between diverged species. Gene flow occurs within the same species.
    Breeding Interspecific hybridization is used in animal and plant breeding to produce useful progeny with desirable features. Intraspecific hybridization, also known as selective breeding, is used in animal and plant breeding to develop desirable phenotypes or traits.
    Examples - Mule: Progeny of a female horse and a male donkey.
    - Liger: Offspring of a female tiger and a male lion.
    - Tangelo: Hybrid between two citrus genera (orange and grapefruit or pomelo).    		 - Cross between Siberian tigers and Bengal tigers.
    - Cross between different sub-species within a single species.
    Interspecific Hybrid Animals Interspecific hybrid animals are created by breeding males and females of two different species, usually from the same genus. Intraspecific hybrid animals are created by breeding two individuals from the same species or different sub-species within a single species.
    Challenges Success rate of interspecific and intergeneric hybridization is comparatively low. Intraspecific hybridization can cause invasiveness of certain species.

    Both interspecific and intraspecific hybridization are used in breeding programs to create variations with desirable traits and to overcome challenges in producing hybrids with the desired characteristics.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.