homoploid

Definition

Referring to a state where two organisms that crossbreed possess the same number of chromosomes, resulting in offspring that are not polyploid.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'homos' meaning 'same' and 'ploos' meaning 'fold', combined with the suffix '-oid' meaning 'resembling' or 'having the form of'. It describes the state of having the same number of chromosome sets as the parents.

In the news

In the study of hybridization, homoploid is used to describe speciation events where new species arise without a change in chromosome number. This is crucial for distinguishing between common hybridization and polyploid-based speciation.

Genetics and genomics of hybridization

Nature

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