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qwertyuiiop145 t1_j2raux5 wrote

Reply to comment by ConnoisseurOfDanger in Are there any examples of natural hybridization, or any possibilities of this occurring in nature? by Owlsthirdeye

Only female ligers are fertile, males are sterile. This is part of why we still consider lions and tigers to be different species not subspecies

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Lankpants t1_j2rcfmh wrote

There are examples of animals that are considered different species that also produce fertile offspring. The most well known one is the grizzly and polar bear, but it's also quite common amongst whales.

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ReaperofFish t1_j2rmcoq wrote

Coyotes and wolves have fertile offspring but still considered separate species.

There is debate about whether wolves and dogs are separate species or not.

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Mrknowitall666 t1_j2rsn8r wrote

Recently tests found that all eastern Coyote are hybrids

https://scitechconnect.elsevier.com/eastern-coyotes-hybrids-coywolf/#:~:text=New%20genetic%20tests%20show%20that,geographic%20location%20of%20the%20canine.

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phalloguy1 t1_j2t1ybz wrote

I remember reading maybe 15 years ago a wildlife biologist in Ontario referring to this hybrid as Canis Soupus.

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DooDooSlinger t1_j2ymtme wrote

Yes - but animals which can't cross breed are definitely different species, that's what they meant. It is sufficient but not necessary.

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