Climate change promotes hybridisation between deeply divergent species

摘要: Rare hybridisations between deeply divergent animal species have been reported for decades in a wide range of taxa, but often remained unexplained, mainly considered chance events and as anecdotal. Here, we combine field observations with long-term data concerning natural hybridizations, climate, land-use, field-validated distribution models two naturally sympatric toad Europe (Bufo bufo Bufotes viridis groups). We show that climate warming seasonal extreme temperatures are conspiring to set the scene these maladaptive hybridisations, by differentially affecting life-history traits both species. Our results identify provide evidence an ultimate cause such events, reveal potential influence change on interspecific goes far beyond closely related Furthermore, projections suggest chances will steadily increase near future.