Asexual wasp genome evolution may lead to extinction, rare sex discovered
A parasitic wasp called Diachasma muliebre has likely lost the ability to reproduce sexually. Scientists studied its genome and found that it is accumulating mutations faster than its sexual relative, which could lead to extinction. Surprisingly, they also found two male wasps, suggesting rare instances of sex in this species. The presence of some genetic shuffling may actually help these asexual wasps adapt and survive longer.