ScienceAugust 11, 2026
introgressed
in-tro-GREST
Definition
Refers to the transfer of genetic material from one species into the gene pool of another through repeated backcrossing of an interspecific hybrid with one of its parent species.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'introgradi' meaning 'to enter,' it was coined in the 1930s by botanist Edgar Anderson to describe the gradual infiltration of germplasm between species.
In the news
In the article, introgressed describes how specific genes move between distinct species populations, which is essential for understanding evolutionary adaptation and biodiversity.
Genetics and genomics of hybridization
Read the full article ↗Nature