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Etho-Ecological Apects Of Hybridization In The Tetraonidae, Paul A. Johnsgard

Paul Johnsgard Collection

A review of records of intrafamilial hybridization in the Tetraonidae indicates that at least half of the potential natural hybrid combinations that could occur in this family on the basis of known distribution patterns actually have been reported at least once. These include 15 interspecific hybridization combinations that involve 12 species and all of the genera currently recognized by taxonomists. The three most commonly reported hybrid combinations all involve lek-forming species of grouse as parental types, while the remaining 12 combinations are all considerably rarer and involve lek-forming parental species in 7 cases, promiscuous but solitary species in 6 cases, …