Males as somatic investment in a parthenogenetic nematode species

Sperm-dependent parthenogenesis, also called pseudogamy, is a reproductive strategy in which all-female species use the sperm of
males, usually from another species, to activate their oocytes. The sperm DNA does not participate to the development of the zygote, which
produces only females. We discovered a novel and unique reproductive strategy in the pseudogamous nematode species "Mesorhabditis belari" , which produces its own males at low frequency. Here, females are produced asexually while males are produced sexually. Hence, the males never transmit their genes to their female offspring. We described the mechanisms that allow the production of sexual males. We also used game theory to explain the 9% sex ratio found in this auto-pseudogamous species. We have established a collection of auto-pseudogamous and sexual species of Mesorhabditis which will allow us to explore the origin and consequences of this partial loss of males and asexuality.