Hybridization increases measures of innate and cell‐mediated immunity in an endangered bird species

Abstract excerpt

1. Given the increasing threat of 'emerging infectious diseases' (EIDs), and the vulnerability of small inbred populations to such novel challenges (at least partly through compromised immunity), a degree of interspecific hybridization may improve the viability of endangered species by enriching depauperate gene pools. 2. To investigate this hypothesis, we quantified indicators of the strength of both innate and...

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