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Hybrid possum could be saviour for species

By introducing endangered male Mountain Pygmy-possums from Mt. Hotham to a female population in Mt. Bulla, researchers have been able to breed the first wild-born male Pygmy-possum with genetic features from both populations.

This could play a significant role in preventing the further decline of the population.

“The smaller populations meant the species was open to inbreeding which would affect their ability to survive and adapt to change and the hybrid offspring would reinvigorate the species, so this in an excellent outcome,” Dr Andrew Weeks of the Department of Genetics and Bio21 Institute said.

Read more at The University of Melbourne

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