introgression

American  

[in-truh-gresh-uhn] / ˌɪn trəˈgrɛʃ ən /

noun

Genetics.

1. the introduction of genes from one species into the gene pool of another species, occurring when matings between the two produce fertile hybrids.

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introgression British  

/ ˌɪntrəˈɡrɛʃən /

noun

1. the introduction of genes from the gene pool of one species into that of another during hybridization

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Etymology

Origin of introgression

First recorded in 1930–35 (earlier in literal sense of Latin ); from Latin intrōgress(us) past participle of intrōgredī “to go in, enter” ( intrō- “within, inward” + -gred-, combining form of grad(ī) “to proceed, walk” + -tus past participle suffix, with -dt- becoming -ss- ); -ion, intro-

Example Sentences

“It made sense that introgression from mexicana was important for adaptation to the highlands,” says Maud Tenaillon, a population geneticist who studies maize at CNRS, France’s national research agency, and Paris-Saclay University.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 29, 2023

EPA regulators agreed that what the Yale scientists had found — the transfer of DNA from the corporate-created mosquitoes to the wild population, which is called introgression — was a concern.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2022

The evolutionary importance of hybridization and introgression has long been debated.

From Nature • Jul. 4, 2012

Adaptive introgression of mimicry loci is therefore a plausible explanation for parallel evolution of multiple mimetic patterns in the –silvaniform clade.

From Nature • Jul. 4, 2012

The Heliconius reference genome allowed us to perform rigorous tests for introgression among melpomene–silvaniform clade species.

From Nature • Jul. 4, 2012

Related Words

• access
• admission
• admittance
• entrance