introgression

noun

in·​tro·​gres·​sion ˌin-trə-ˈgre-shən How to pronounce introgression (audio)
: the entry or introduction of a gene from one gene complex into another (as by hybridization)
introgressant adjective or noun
introgressive adjective

Examples of introgression in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web More recently, preliminary work by Taylor’s team has helped reveal the genetics underlying some of the deficits other scientists have observed in hybrids: genes related to metabolism and cognition show especially low rates of introgression. Rebecca Heisman, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024 These hybrid zones are often quite stable over time, with insignificant introgression, or breeding back, to the parent populations. Richard Pallardy, Ars Technica, 30 July 2024 Every bird sampled on Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii had hybrid ancestry, indicating that mallard introgression had resulted in a hybrid swarm. Richard Pallardy, Ars Technica, 30 July 2024 Intriguingly, many of the hybrids most closely resemble the red shiner—a phenomenon called cryptic introgression. Richard Pallardy, Ars Technica, 30 July 2024 This is called introgression, which occurs when genetic information is transferred from one lineage or species to another as the result of hybridization. Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 22 May 2024 No evidence for introgression/admixture at this locus. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2019 However, genomic segments bearing important agronomic traits originated only once in one population and spread across all cultivars through introgression and human selection. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2011 First, a post from the past: Neandertal & humans – introgression. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 5 Feb. 2011

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'introgression.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

intro- + -gression (as in regression)

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of introgression was in 1938

Dictionary Entries Near introgression

Cite this Entry

“Introgression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/introgression. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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