Definition of Hybrid Dysgenesis



Hybrid dysgenesis is the production of a hybrid offspring of Drosophila melanogaster which is defective in nature. This happens due to extreme rates of mutation in the sex cells of the Drosophila strains. The hybrid offspring are produced as a result of the cross between the male having autonomous P elements and female that lacks P elements.

 


The factors that influence this phenomenon include high levels of mutations, increased chromosomal rearrangement and recombination and temperature-dependent sterility. The phenotype produced is affected by the transposition of P elements that occurs only in the sex cells of the offspring.

 

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