Recent Hybridization between a Polar Bear and Grizzly Bears in the Canadian Arctic

摘要: Grizzly bears have recently become more common on the Arctic Islands in Inuvialuit Settlement Region, concurrently with a period of environmental change. Over last decade, grizzly bear – polar hybrids been confirmed within this region, triggering extensive discussion and speculation regarding impact hybridization parent species. Through harvests, sightings, captures, we document an increase presence combine field observations genetic analysis parentage to identify four first-generation (F1) offspring F1 (backcross-to-grizzly-bear individuals). We trace these eight hybrid individuals single female who mated two bears. sampled one her mates sea ice High deduced genotype other from his five offspring. The male are sires both generation backcross-to-grizzly-bear generation. So what initially appeared be sudden spate western Canadian originated unusual mating between three non-hybrid parents. breakdown species barriers may start atypical preferences select individuals; however, story present can traced who, along known offspring, has killed.