introgression

[ in-truh-gresh-uhn ]

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.

introgression

/ ˌɪntrəˈɡrɛʃən /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of introgression¹

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

"From the perspective of genetic diversity, hybridization poses a potential threat to the wild ancestors because continuous introgression with the domestic relatives may gradually erode the genetic integrity of the wild forms, leading to the dilution of the wild gene pool over time," Kusi said.

From Science Daily

“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

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

Rose said Oxitec expected the introgression.

From Los Angeles Times

They found DNA segments in the West Africans that could best be explained by ancestral interbreeding with an unknown member of the human family tree that led to what is called genetic “introgression.”

From Reuters

Related Words

• access
• admission
• admittance
• entrance