Hybrids

Hybrids are organisms that are genetically the combination of two or more species. These can occur naturally between two closely related species, such as a mule is the offspring of a donkey and a horse. These organisms tend to be infertile and unable to produce a viable population.

Some hybrids, however, are the result of intelligent design. Within the Potunga galaxy, these organisms are what most people mean when they talk about hybrids. These organisms are the result of genetic modification, and are capable of reproducing with other individuals of the same genetic make-up, and sometimes even with either or both 'parent' species. These organisms can be found naturally throughout the galaxy and have become a part of their local ecosystems. Some sapient species can also be hybrids.

Hybrids can be separated into several groups:

• Animal x Animal Hybrids

• Animal x Plant Hybrids

• Animal x Fungi Hybrids

• Fungi x Plant Hybrids

• Animal x Fungi x Plant Hybrids

Normally a hybrid is the result of the combining of two species, but there are examples of "Tribrids" and "Quadbrids" which are the combinations of three or four species.

Some organisms are the descendants of individuals or populations that were genetically modified but are not classed as hybrids. These include the Homo therium species complex, which are several species of Homo that were modified with a variety of genes from other animals, but their genetic make-up is still more than fifty-percent Homo.