Hybridization in reef fishes

Hybridization, the interbreeding of genetically distinct species, is increasingly recognized as an important evolutionary process in marine systems. In the ocean, species boundaries are often dynamic, shaped by changing environments, shifting distributions, and opportunities for secondary contact, particularly in the face of anthropogenic influences. Our research seeks to understand when and why hybridization occurs, the ecological and evolutionary consequences of admixture, and how hybridization influences biodiversity through time.

We use genomic approaches to identify hybrid individuals, characterize patterns of introgression, and evaluate how hybridization shapes evolutionary trajectories. Current and emerging research examines hybridization across marine fish taxa to better understand the factors promoting species overlap, reproductive interactions, and the persistence of hybrid lineages in natural systems.

A central goal of this work is to understand whether hybridization represents a transient interaction, a mechanism for adaptation, or a pathway toward long-term evolutionary change. By investigating how environmental conditions, geography, and species interactions influence hybridization, we aim to better understand how biodiversity is generated, maintained, and altered in rapidly changing marine ecosystems.

Banner photo: A mixed school consisting of the native endemic species, the invasive species, and the hybrid. Photo credit: Keoki Stender