intergradation

[ in-ter-grey-dey-shuhn ]

/ ˌɪn tər greɪˈdeɪ ʃən /

the act or process of intergrading or the state of being intergraded.

an evolutionary process by which different species of organisms tend to merge through a series of intermediate stages or grades.

QUIZZES

Even if you can't be a professional chef, you can at least talk like one with this vocabulary quiz.

Question 1 of 9

You may have read the word "simmer" in a recipe or two, but what does it really mean?

First recorded in 1870–75; inter- + gradation

in·ter·gra·da·tion·al, adjective

Consequently it is unlikely that intergradation with other populations could exist at the present time.
Comments on the Taxonomy and Geographic Distribution of Some North American Rodents|E. Raymond Hall
Intergradation with neomexicana is suggested by one specimen, no. 7936, Univ.
American Weasels|E. Raymond Hall
Details of one such instance of intergradation are given in the account of Mustela frenata spadix.
American Weasels|E. Raymond Hall
Intergradation is noted with Zapus hudsonius pallidus and is discussed in the account of that subspecies.
North American Jumping Mice (Genus Zapus)|Philip H. Krutzsch

Probably this greater breadth is the result of intergradation with M. f. frenata to the westward.
American Weasels|E. Raymond Hall