Gene flow is the exchange of genes between populations and between species.

[104] It can therefore

be a source of variation that is new to a population or to a species. Gene flow can be caused by the
movement of individuals between separate populations of organisms, as might be caused by the
movement of mice between inland and coastal populations, or the movement of pollen between
heavy-metal-tolerant and heavy-metal-sensitive populations of grasses.
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.[105] 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.[106] Horizontal transfer of genes from bacteria to
eukaryotes such as the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the adzuki bean
weevil Callosobruchus chinensis has occurred.[107][108] An example of larger-scale transfers are the
eukaryotic bdelloid rotifers, which have received a range of genes from bacteria, fungi and
plants.[109] Viruses can also carry DNA between organisms, allowing transfer of genes even
across biological domains.[110]
Large-scale gene transfer has also occurred between the ancestors of eukaryotic cells and bacteria,
during the acquisition of chloroplasts and mitochondria. It is possible that eukaryotes themselves
originated from horizontal gene transfers between bacteria and archaea.[111]