In Our Time

Hybrids

Oct 31, 2019

Tune in as Sandra Knapp, a tropical botanist, Nicola Nadeau, an evolutionary biologist, and Steve Jones, a genetics expert, explore the fascinating world of hybrids. They discuss how hybrids can arise naturally or through human intervention, including striking examples like butterflies and orchids. The implications for species classification and biodiversity are profound. They also touch on the alarming decline in wildlife due to environmental factors and the evolving challenges posed by climate change. Discover how hybridization offers new insights for adaptation and survival.

50:49

Creator website

Episode guests

Steve Jones

Nicola Nadeau

Sandra Knapp

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Understanding Hybrids and Species Fluidity

11min

The Art of Hybridization

6min

The Evolutionary Advantages of Butterfly Hybridization

2min

Unpacking Hybridization: Nature's Genetic Mix

15min

Hybrids and Their Ecological Implications

15min

Decline of Wildlife and the Impact of Chemicals

2min

Exploring the Potential of Hybrid Models

1min

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss what happens when parents from different species have offspring, despite their genetic differences. In some cases, such as the zebra/donkey hybrid in the image above, the offspring are usually infertile but in others the genetic change can lead to new species with evolutionary advantages. Hybrids can occur naturally, yet most arise from human manipulation and Darwin's study of plant and animal domestication informed his ideas on natural selection.

With

Sandra Knapp Tropical Botanist at the Natural History Museum

Nicola Nadeau Lecturer in Evolutionary Biology at the University of Sheffield

And

Steve Jones Senior Research Fellow in Genetics at University College London

Producer: Simon Tillotson

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