Well, I suppose one can consider that situation as equivalent to a thalidomide baby. The offspring is not a new species. I think "missing link" is meant in that context.
Most would ascribe to missing link as that evidence that is missing or not found between species or large change in a species while ignoring small change that occur frequently. As late as the 1700's and 1800's the Catholic church had yet to recognize some Indians of Mexico as human and they were designated animals. When recognized human was there a significant change or was their denial simply thought because they noticed differences.