Genetics and genomics of hybridization.

Hybridization occurs across nearly all eukaryotic lineages, with estimates suggesting it is more common and influential in evolution than previously thought.

• Why it matters: Understanding the drivers and effects of hybridization is crucial for revealing its role in genomic variation, adaptation, and disease risk across species, filling a significant knowledge gap.
• What they did: The authors review recent methodological advances and compile evidence from traditional and genomic studies to estimate hybridization frequency and explore its causes and impacts.
• The result: This work underscores hybridization as a key evolutionary process, raising questions about its role in diversification and guiding future research directions in evolutionary biology.