Is inbreeding an issue in parthenogenic species?

Something else interesting to mention, while we're on this subject, is that obligately parthenogenetic species usually do not last very long on an evolutionary time scale. The "Red Queen" hypothesis suggests that this is mainly because asexual organisms (at least, multicellular ones) cannot adapt quickly enough to changing pathogens/parasites. There are other explanations, but I think that this one makes the most sense.

Of course, there are exceptions. Darwinulid ostracods, bdelloid rotifers, and oribatid mites have all reproduced exclusively through parthenogenesis for tens of millions of years.

Anyway, this subject is particularly intriguing to me, as you can probably tell. :)

 
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We will all probably be dead by the time the surinam roach goes extinct, lol! And it is indeed a very interesting subject. :)

 
hisserdude said:
We will all probably be dead by the time the surinam roach goes extinct, lol! And it is indeed a very interesting subject. :)
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Agreed. I think that, one day, a pathogen will finally catch up with them, but I expect that it will be long after humanity has gone extinct. They are tough little roaches. :)

 
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