All-female hybrid fish species uses males for better genetics
Monday, October 17, 2016 - 06:31
in Biology & Nature
Some species are comprised of female-only members, giving themselves a competitive advantage over species that produce both male and female offspring. Since the females are capable of bearing offspring, they can quickly outnumber other species in which half the population – the males – do not. However, these all-female species are disadvantaged due to a lack of variety in their gene composition. This affects their ability to develop genetic adaptations to environmental changes and parasitic attacks – and thus their long-term survival as a species.