What is interspecific hybridisation ? Explain the term by taking an example of animal breeding.

Explanation

A cross or mating between two different related species is called is called interspecific hybridisation. The progeny obtained from such a mating are usually different from both paternal and maternal parents. Some times the progeny combines the desirable features of both the parents. An example of interspecific hybridisation is production of mule which is produced from a cross between female horse (mare) and male donkey. It inherits size from the horse and sure footedness, great endurance to hardship, and ability to live on rough food the donkey. It is more useful as a beast of burden, particularly in the hills, than either of the parents of the parents. However, with all its hybrid vigour, the mule is sterile, i.e. unable to reproduce. Therefore, mules have to be produced a new every time. The female mule may produce youngones with the male horse or ass. The hybrid between the female ass and stallion (horse) is called hinny.