Usually, when two different species mate, it's a disaster. At least, that's what scientists had generally thought about hybrids, the offspring of these unions. But some researchers are starting to change their view as they learn of more hybrid events that lead to benefits for the organism. Science journalist Katie Wu explains two of these hybridization examples: one in desert frogs and one in two ancient plants, whose fortuitous union led to the modern potato.

Interested in more biology episodes? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org .

Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave .

Listen to Short Wave on Spotify and Apple Podcasts .

This episode was produced by B

See Full Page