Hybridization between European Quail Coturnix coturnix and Japanese Quail Coturnix japonica

Cross-breeding experiments between two strains of domestic Japanese Quail Cottion. japonica and one strain of European Quail Coturnix coturnix showed that it is easy to obtain the hybrid combinations F,, F 2 as well as backcrosses. Fertility of the hybrid pairs and the hatchability of hundreds of eggs did not differ from those of pure European Quail pairs reared under the same conditions. Similar results were obtained for three sets of crosses involving F, hybrids. The absence of detectable postzygotic isolating mechanisms and the strong sexual drive shown by hybrids means that restocking in Mediterranean countries with domesticated Japanese quail could rapidly lead to widespread 'genetic pollution' of the western Palearctic population of migrating European quail.