Condition-dependent sex: who does it, when and why?
We review the phenomenon of condition-dependent sex-where individuals' condition affects the likelihood that they will reproduce sexually rather than asexually. In recent years, condition-dependent sex has been studied both theoretically and empirically. Empirical results in microbes, fungi and plants support the theoretical prediction that negative condition-dependent sex, in which individuals in poor condition are more likely to reproduce sexually, can be evolutionarily advantageous under a wide range of settings. Here, we review the evidence for condition-dependent sex and its potential implications for the long-term survival and adaptability of populations. We conclude by asking why condition-dependent sex is not more commonly observed, and by considering generalizations of condition-dependent sex that might apply even for obligate sexuals.This article is part of the themed issue 'Weird sex: the underappreciated diversity of sexual reproduction'.
Department of Molecular Biology and Ecology of Plants, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel.
Yoav
0000-0002-9653-4458
Y
Ram
Department of Molecular Biology and Ecology of Plants, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel lilach.hadany@gmail.com.
Lilach
0000-0002-1642-5308
L
Hadany
D005075:Biological Evolution; D012098:Reproduction; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D012723:Sex
abandon-ship; evolution of sex; fitness-associated recombination; sexual reproduction; stress-induced variation