Re: RC: Re: ridecamp-d Digest V00 #221

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 2/9/00 7:25:59 PM Pacific Standard Time, MBlanchrd@aol.com 
writes:

<< Yes, sir, reproduction can occur....but only in the animals that are 
crossed 
 in the first place. In other words, a cross between a lion and a tiger 
 results in live cubs, BUT the cubs are hybrids, and cannot themselves 
 reproduce. Same deal with zebras and horses, coyotes and wolves, 
(dogs...dogs 
 ARE wolves, Dunc.) and  cattle and bison. All the resulting young are 
 hybrids, just like a cross between a horse and a donkey results in a hybrid, 
 sterile mule. >>

The odds of sterility are relative to the degree of relatedness (or lack of 
it).  For instance, mules are ALMOST always sterile--there have been 
documented cases of fertility, but they are EXTREMELY rare.  OTOH, bison and 
cattle are more closely related than horses and donkeys, and while I don't 
recall the exact odds, a fair number of the hybrids can and do reproduce.

Heidi