Gene transfer between species includes the formation of hybrid organisms and horizontal gene transfer. Horizontal gene transfer is the transfer of genetic material from one organism to another organism that is not its offspring; this is most common among bacteria. In medicine, this contributes to the spread of antibiotic resistance, as when one bacteria acquires resistance genes it can rapidly transfer them to other species. Horizontal transfer of genes from bacteria to eukaryotes such as the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the adzuki bean weevil Callosobruchus chinensis has occurred. An example of larger-scale transfers are the eukaryotic bdelloid rotifers, which have received a range of genes from bacteria, fungi and plants. Viruses can also carry DNA between organisms, allowing transfer of genes even across biological domains.
GeNe transFEr bEtWEen SPecIeS InclUDEs tHe Formation oF HYBrid oRgaNISms aNd horIZontal gEne tRanSFeR. horiZontal genE trAnSfEr is the tRanSfeR of GENeTIc Material FroM onE orGANiSm TO anothER OrganIsM THat is nOt itS oFfspriNg; thIs is most cOmmon AmOnG bActeria. in MEDICine, thIs cONtribUtes to tHE SpREAD of antIbIotIC rEsiSTaNCe, AS when oNE bActEria acquires resistAnCE GeneS it CAn rapidly tranSFeR tHeM TO OTheR SpEcIEs. HoRIzOntaL trANsfer Of genes FroM bActEriA to EukaRyOtes sUch as the yEaST saccharOmyCes CERevisiae and THe adzUkI beAn wEevil caLlosoBruChUS chinensis haS occurred. An Example of Larger-sCale traNsfeRS Are ThE eUKaRyOtic bDEllOid roTifERs, whicH haVe ReceIVed a raNgE of gEneS FroM bacTerIA, fungi aNd pLanTs. viRuseS caN alSo CarRy dNa bETweeN Organisms, alLOWINg tRanSfer of genes EveN aCrOss BioLogiCal domaiNS.