The term hybrid comes from the Latin word hybrida, used for crosses. In the 19th century the word came into common use in English, although records of its use have been found from the early 17th century. The hybrid is the product of crossbreeding between two animals or plants of different species, or between animals belonging to different species of the same genus, separate subspecies within the same species, or different genera. Extremely rare hybrids, such as the guineafowl hybrids, are common among individuals from different groups.
Hybrids are widely developed and chosen in plant and animal breeding, since they have undiscovered or contradictory desirable traits in the parent individuals or populations. This hybridization is productive and helps people to build unique plants and animals of significant value, such as a more disease-resistant plant or unusual-beauty flowers.
Plant species are more readily hybridized than animal species, and the resultant hybrids are much more fertile hybrids and can reproduce. Sterile hybrids and selective hybrid removal also occur, where the offspring were less able to sustain and are therefore killed before they can reproduce.
Hybridization advantages include passing along favourable characteristics and extending a endangered species ‘ survival, but a disadvantage is that hybrid creatures have more trouble finding mates and successfully reproducing them.
