Sexual Reproduction Is Costly

Abstract

Abstract In examining the evolution of a particular trait, it’s essential to understand the costs and benefits of that behaviour. Sexual reproduction has many costs. Importantly, sexual reproducers, using the same energy, produce only half as many offspring capable of breeding. This disadvantage is often referred to as the twofold cost of males. Additionally, during meiosis, favourable gene combinations may be broken apart. Species that reproduce sexually must devote a significant amount of time to the activity at both the cellular and organismal levels. In some species, this may involve searching for and assessing mates. Increased energy to produce structures used during reproduction, increased exposure to predators, and increased likelihood of contracting diseases spread through close contact are all costs that asexual breeders don’t encounter. These costs suggest that sexual reproduction must have been offset by significant benefits for it to have evolved.