Sexual versus Asexual Reproduction: Distinct Outcomes in Relative Abundance of Parthenogenetic Mealybugs following Recent Colonization.

摘要: Asexual reproduction, including parthenogenesis in which embryos develop within a female without fertilization, is assumed to confer advantages over sexual includes “cost of males.” Sexual reproduction largely predominates animals, however, indicating that this cost outweighed by the genetic and/or ecological benefits sexuality, acquisition advantageous mutations occurring different individuals and elimination deleterious mutations. But evolution remains unclear, because we have limited examples demonstrate relative success lineages face competition from asexual same environment. Here investigated sympatric occurrence pineapple mealybug, Dysmicoccus brevipes. This pest invaded southwestern Japan, Okinawa Ishigaki Islands, 1930s association with imported plants. Our recent censuses demonstrated on sexually reproducing can coexist even dominate presence habitat resource competition, considered be severe for nearly immobile insect. Molecular phylogeny based partial DNA sequences mitochondrial nuclear genomes, as well endosymbiotic bacterial genome, revealed lineage diverged common ancestor relatively past. In contrast, only exhibiting obligate apomictic thelytoky was discovered Ishigaki. Co-existence two cannot explained results laboratory experiments, showed intrinsic rate increase not obviously superior lineage. Differences biotic abiotic selective forces operating islands might cause discrepancy. biological system offers unique opportunity assess versus an unusual morphology life cycle.