Hybrids. Fitness is defined herein as a species’ ability to thrive and reproduce in its environment and respond to environmental change. While the ability to respond to environmental change is often impossible to predict, geneticists generally agree that genetically diverse populations exhibit high degrees of fitness. Conversely, populations with less diversity are less fit as they have fewer alleles that may be expressed in response to changing environmental conditions (Xxxx and Frankham 2003). There are examples of detrimental hybridization whereby fitness of either species does not increase or decline. In fishes, high fecundity and external fertilization increase the probability of hybridization, which may have given rise to some of the species we recognize today. The ability to hybridize does not always lead to the loss of one or more species. Persistent, long-term hybridization among species has been documented between flannelmouth suckers and razorback suckers (Xxxx et al. 1987). The observation that many of the various Gila species native to the CRB share alleles suggests ongoing hybridization between roundtail chub and other chubs (XxXxxxxx et al. 1992, Xxxxxxx and XxXxxxxx 1993). By incorporating additional non-deleterious alleles, hybridization may confer additional fitness or increased ability to respond to environmental stressors. As available habitat has been reduced from historic times, especially due to impoundment and reduced flows, the likelihood of hybridization among closely related species has increased. There are two documents which could potentially affect the states’ conservation and management actions regarding populations comprised partly by hybrids: 1) The Proposed Policy on the Treatment of Intercrosses and Intercross Progeny (Intercross Policy; 61 FR 4709); and 2) The Policy Regarding the Recognition of Distinct Population Segments Under the Endangered Species Act (DPS Policy; 61 FR 4722). Under the non-binding Intercross Policy, the USFWS has responsibility for conserving hybrids under ESA (intercrosses) if 1) offspring share traits that characterize the taxon of the listed parent, and 2) offspring more closely resembles the listed parent’s taxon than an entity intermediate between it and the other known or suspected non-listed parental stock. The Intercross Policy proposes the use of the term “intercross” to represent crosses between individuals of varying taxonomic status (species, subspecies, and distinct population segments). Under ...
Hybrids. If Licensor and Licensee mutually agree in writing to sell or license to a Third Party any Hybrid Cultivar and any Hybrid IP necessary or useful in connection with such Hybrid Cultivar, then the Parties will complete the transaction on and subject to terms mutually agreed to by the Parties and will share in any revenue or proceeds otherwise received through such sale or licensing arrangement on a 50/50 basis.
