Parthenogenesis Vertebrate

Is Sex Necessary?
Conditions in which parthenogenesis reproduction in vertebrates is beneficial Sexual reproduction is regarded as the most beneficial way to produce a lasting lineage that can adapt to changing environments and evolve to greater complexity. However, some species use asexual reproduction to sustain their population. Parthenogenesis is a rare form of reproduction in which a female produces a genetic clone of herself to create offspring. These lineages are all female and have many evolutionary and adaptive advantages that help them survive. While only about 0.01% of vertebrates use parthenogenesis to reproduce, many studies have been conducted on these species to identify how they sustain their population and adapt to
He explains that most traits that are affected by selection have a polygenetic basis with multiple alleles; therefore, a mutation at one of these loci cannot be classified as detrimental or beneficial because many other alleles are factored into the phenotype. Therefore, large amounts of variation can exist, even in asexual species, which allow for adaptations (Lynch, 1983). He also states that many extant parthenogens have a wider geographic range than their sexual relative and possess highly generalized phenotypes that allow them to live in a variety of environmental conditions (Lynch, 1983). This finding proves that parthenogenesis has benefits for specific populations and they can sustain their population through mutations that allow them to
Many studies have been conducted to understand the mechanism, reasoning, and benefits to parthenogenesis, as well as some of the limitations it can present. Yet there are still many aspects of the field that can be researched. Facultative parthenogenesis is a form of reproduction in which species switch from sexual to asexual reproduction. This mechanism is still not fully understood, and determining how species can switch methods and what specific factors induce the switch could be researched more. Also, many new vertebrates have been added to the list of species capable of parthenogenesis, including the Komodo dragon, mentioned above, and certain species of sharks (Watts 2006). Researchers believe these species develop parthenogenesis methods because they are held in captivity. Therefore, scientists need to research the long-term effects populations in captivity will experience, and possible ways to prevent detrimental variation loss in these populations. New conservation management strategies need to be created and analyzed to try and preserve variation in these populations. Overall, the general conclusions about the advantages and disadvantages of parthenogenesis are agreed upon in the science community, and there are no new conflicting theories on parthenogenesis. While there are benefits to asexual reproduction in specific populations that live in extreme habitats,