Asexual Reproduction: Species Reproducing on Their Own are Susceptible to Dangerous Genetic Mutations

Asexual reproduction has been one of the most fascinating biological features of some animals, who can reproduce on their own, hence the derivation of the term.

Unlike sexual reproduction, its counterpart does not rely on conventional mixture of sperm and egg for ovulation and fertilization to take place involving two opposite sexes.

In the process called parthenogenesis, dozens of vertebrate species are capable of asexually reproducing, wherein most animals include fish or lizards.

While it has a beneficial effect for survival, a new study found that asexual reproduction can lead to life-threatening genetic mutations.

The new research led by biologists from the University of Texas at Arlington found new details that support the theory that species have more harmful genes as a result of unnatural genetic changes compared to those utilizing sexual reproduction.

While the mutations are also present in offspring that are byproduct of sexual reproduction, the angle that such genetic alterations are present from asexual reproduction is relatively least explored.

With the new paper, the scientists expounded the premise that the genetic mutations are universal but varies depending on the type of reproduction.

Genetic Mutations

In the study published on the journal Evolution on May 17, the US-based biologists explored the aspect of sexual reproduction of being ubiquitous in the natural world, implying that sex could have extensive benefits to surpass the coast of males relative to asexual reproduction.

The research used a previous hypothesis that the advantage of reproduction based on sexual intercourse is that it removes faulty genetic mutations from the genome.

The theory predicted that a transition from sexual to asexual increases the risk of the accumulation of "slightly deleterious mutations."

In addition, the paper indicated that such transition suppresses recombination and segregation, which weakens natural selection.

Aspidoscelis Study

Authors of the study examined Aspidoscelis, a genus of whiptail lizards, as part of parthenogenesis and as summarized by phys.org.

The team also selected the reptiles due to their abundance and distribution throughout the southwestern part of the United States.

The scientists came up with their conclusion after using mitochondrial genome data from both asexual and sexual whiptail lizards.

The method aimed to test whether their prediction that parthenogenetic lineages result in faster genetic mutations than sexual lineages.

Sexual and Asexual Reproduction

Both sexual and asexual reproduction have their own advantages and disadvantages, which some living things utilize to produce their own offspring, according to the University of Utah.

While some species are capable of both reproduction methods, the new research implies there is still limited data that needs addressing.

Although it was reportedly found that asexual production yielded unwanted genetic changes, it can still serve as a significant method when it comes to survivability and mating challenges.

In particular, previous wildlife documentaries and research showed that there are instances where physical sexual intercourse between two animal species is challenging, especially in hostile environments where competition is prevalent.