Hybrridsation (1 Viewer)

[Lizzae]

Hybridisation

I got this question for homework and can't seem to find the answer.

Give 2 reasons why viable hybrids between two different species might be difficult to achieve using traditional breeding techniques

Any help would be great

Cheers

 

[Survivor39]

Re: Hybridisation

Different species may have different number of chromosomes.

As to traditional breeding methods, thinking about what happens if you put a chicken and a crocodile together! Will the chicken be eaten before it can a chance to mate?

 

[Dr_Doom]

Re: Hybridisation

lol I was just looking for the answer to this, because I remember answering it two days ago. But survivor beat me to it

Hey survivor I thought all organisms had 46 chromosomes...?

 

[kami]

Given that traditional breeding techniques pretty much involves putting two animals together and hoping they get it on...then differing peak breeding periods would be a considerable issue, for example say Parrot A has a breeding season of March - July but Parrot B has a breeding season of October - January, then there will be issues instigating a match regardless of how genetically compatible they may be.

Another possible issue is the size of the offspring, for example when a male lion breeds with a female leopard, the female has considerable difficulty bringing the offspring to term as its body wasn't designed to bear a kitten of that size.

Hey survivor I thought all organisms had 46 chromosomes...?

Nope, each species has a different amount , its why horse and donkey hybrids(mules and hinnies) are usually sterile - they have odd numbers of chromosomes due to their parents differing chromosome amounts. IIRC its only humans which have 46 (unless there is a genetic disorder eg Down's Syndrome).

 

[Lizzae]

Ahh super fantastic.
I ended up saying something about refusal to mate also...and the whole possible sterile offspring.

Thanks heaps!