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interfertile

interfertile

8.2
Able to breed with another species and produce young
  • adjective
  • /ˌɪntərˈfɜrˌtaɪl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : interfértil
  • Generally, that will be geographic, where the two groups don't come into contact with each other; genetic, where a mutation causes one group to no longer be interfertile with another; or sexual, where the two populations live side by side and could breed, but have no desire to do so.

Examples

  • Hybridity was central to both monogenist and polygenist theories as a criterion defining the boundaries between species of animals and possibly also between races of people: members of the same species were interfertile, while those of different species usually were not.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Members of the same species are typically interfertile, allowing them to produce healthy offspring.

  • Certain plants are interfertile, meaning they can cross-pollinate and yield seeds.

  • The two breeds of dogs are interfertile, which enables them to mate and produce puppies.

Antonyms

19 5.3

Unable to have babies or make seeds

How Compatible

interfertile
  • Specialized
8.2
congenial
  • Specialized
7.9
compatible
112 4.1
incompatible
41 6.2

Surface Forms

interfertile positive

Morphology

interfertile = fertile (transparent) = inter + fertile

The prefix 'inter-' clearly indicates a relationship or interaction between groups, and 'fertile' retains its meaning.

Etymology

The word interfertile comes from inter- ('between') and fertile ('able to produce', as in 'fertile land'). So interfertile describes two species or groups that can produce young together.