intergradation

American  

[in-ter-grey-dey-shuhn] / ˌɪn tər greɪˈdeɪ ʃən /

noun

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

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

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Other Word Forms

• intergradational adjective

Etymology

Origin of intergradation

First recorded in 1870–75; inter- + gradation

Example Sentences

In comparison with topotypes, the specimens from Utah are lighter in color and some specimens have slightly larger skulls, suggesting slight intergradation with Thomomys talpoides uinta.

From The Pocket Gophers (Genus Thomomys) of Utah, Vol. 1 No. 1 Kansas University Publications. by Durrant, Stephen D.

If specimens were available they would undoubtedly show intergradation to exist between osgoodi and absonus.

From The Pocket Gophers (Genus Thomomys) of Utah, Vol. 1 No. 1 Kansas University Publications. by Durrant, Stephen D.

In Utah, as previously pointed out, complete intergradation occurs.

From Speciation of the Wandering Shrew by Findley, James S.

Except in areas of intergradation, complete separation of the two subspecies can be made on the basis of lateral line scales, pectoral rays, post-Weberian vertebrae and head-depth.

From Geographic Variation in the North American Cyprinid Fish, Hybopsis gracilis by Cross, Frank B.

Until intergradation is actually demonstrated, it seems best to use the name D. m. mesamericana.

From An Annotated Check List of the Mammals of Michoac?n, M?xico by Bernardo Villa R.