Abstract
Hybridization can occur naturally among diverging lineages as part of the evolutionary process leading to complete reproductive isolation, or it can result from range shifts and habitat alteration through global warming and/or other anthropogenic influences. Here we report a molecular cytogenetic investigation of hybridization between taxonomically distinct species of the Alcelaphini (Alcelaphus buselaphus 2n = 40 × Damaliscus lunatus 2n = 36) and the Tragelaphini (Tragelaphus strepsiceros 2n = 31/32 × Tragelaphus angasii 2n = 55/56). Cross-species fluorescence in situ hybridization provides unequivocal evidence of the scale of karyotypic difference distinguishing parental species. The findings suggest that although hybrid meiosis of the former cross would necessitate the formation of a chain of seven, a ring of four and one trivalent, the progeny follow Haldane's rule showing F1 male sterility and female fertility. The tragelaphine F1 hybrid, a male, was similarly sterile and, given the 11 trivalents and chain of five anticipated in its meiosis, not unexpectedly so. We discuss these findings within the context of the broader evolutionary significance of hybridization in African antelope, and reflect on what these hold for our views of antelope species and their conservation.
Highlights
Interspecific hybridization, within Bovidae, is not an infrequent observation [1], highlighting the relatively shallow divergences of many of the terminal taxa in bovid phylogenetic trees [2]
An Alcelaphus buselaphus  Damaliscus lunatus F1 male that was culled on a wildlife reserve as part of an intervention conducted by a regional conservation agency in the Free State Province of South Africa
The two parental species have a single autosomal bivalent in common (25 –25; table 1). Both instances of hybridization reflect anthropogenic influence, it is not known how frequently these occur in nature and whether the incidence has been heightened through range extension
Summary
Interspecific hybridization, within Bovidae (antelope, cattle, sheep and goats), is not an infrequent observation [1], highlighting the relatively shallow divergences of many of the terminal taxa in bovid phylogenetic trees [2]. An Alcelaphus buselaphus (red hartebeest) Â Damaliscus lunatus (tsessebe) F1 male that was culled on a wildlife reserve as part of an intervention conducted by a regional conservation agency in the Free State Province of South Africa. This was done to test historic [5] and anecdotal reports of the species hybridization (electronic supplementary material). We report the outcome of a molecular cytogenetic investigation of these hybrid animals to raise awareness of the broader evolutionary significance of hybridization in African antelope, the variability in evolutionary time distinguishing hybridizing species pairs and the implications this holds for antelope diversity and conservation
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