ScienceAugust 11, 2026

introgression

IN-troh-gre-shun

Definition

The process by which genes from one species or population are transferred into the gene pool of another through repeated backcrossing of hybrids with one of the parent species.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'intro-' meaning 'into' and 'gressio' meaning 'a stepping or going.' It was coined in biology to describe the movement of genes into a new lineage.

In the news

In the study of hybridization, introgression is used to explain how genetic material moves between distinct species, which often leads to complex evolutionary patterns.

Genetics and genomics of hybridization

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Nature

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