The mating or crossing of two different species is a process called hybridization, with the offspring known as hybrids. Probably the best recognized animal hybrid is the mule, which is a cross between a female horse and a male donkey.
Hybrids can have some characteristics of both parents.
Breeding hybrids with selected or favored characteristics of each parent is one of the goals of animal husbandry. When a hybrid has characteristics superior to both parents it is said to have hybrid vigor or positive heterosis which, of course, is the ultimate breeding goal. All rights reserved. Aquaculture bio-filters and aquarium biofilters are biological filters. Fish farms and garden ponds use filters.