Sperm-dependent asexual hybrids determine competition among sexual species

0503713 - ÚŽFG 2020 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Janko, Karel - Eisner, Jan - Mikulíček, P.
Sperm-dependent asexual hybrids determine competition among sexual species.
Scientific Reports. Roč. 9, JAN 24 (2019), č. článku 722. ISSN 2045-2322. E-ISSN 2045-2322
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT EF15_003/0000460; GA ČR GA13-12580S; GA ČR(CZ) GA17-09807S
Institutional support: RVO:67985904
Keywords : sexual species * asexual organisms
OECD category: Biology (theoretical, mathematical, thermal, cryobiology, biological rhythm), Evolutionary biology
Impact factor: 3.998, year: 2019
Method of publishing: Open access
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-35167-z/figures/

Interspecific competition is a fundamental process affecting community structure and evolution of interacting species. Besides direct competition, this process is also mediated by shared enemies, which can change the outcome of competition dramatically. However, previous studies investigating interactions between competing species and their parasites (parasite-mediated competition) completely overlooked the effect of 'sperm' parasites (i.e. sperm-dependent parthenogens or pseudogams) on competition. These organisms originate by interspecific hybridization, produce clonal gametes, but exploit parental species for their own reproduction, being therefore analogous to classical parasites. Here we use the reaction-diffusion model and show that pseudogams alter the outcome of interspecific competition significantly. They may either slow down competitive exclusion of the inferior competitor or even turn the outcome of competition between the species. Asexual organisms may thus have unexpectedly strong impact on community structure, and have more significant evolutionary potential than was previously thought.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0295512