---
OA_type: closed access
_id: '20219'
abstract:
- lang: eng
  text: Reproduction is a fundamental biological process, with organisms reproducing
    sexually, asexually, and, in some cases, utilizing both modes of reproduction
    within the same population. Does the ability to reproduce through a combination
    of asexual and sexual modes offer an evolutionary advantage over relying on either
    mode alone? Here, we introduce an empirically driven theoretical model to examine
    the dynamics and interplay between sexual and asexual reproduction in stick insect
    populations. We analyse it using a novel phase transition approach and corroborate
    it using published experimental data. We find that the presence of males can either
    increase or decrease the overall population size. However, maintaining an optimal
    ratio of parthenogenetic to sexual reproduction is crucial for male resilience,
    effectively delaying male extinction. Conversely, extreme levels of parthenogenetic
    reproduction—whether too high or too low—can lead to male extinction, emphasizing
    the need for a balanced number of virgin females to ensure the persistence of
    males. Our model also explains male absence in Carausius morosus and persistence
    in Extatosoma tiaratum. Our findings provide valuable insights into the interplay
    of reproductive strategies and contribute to broader discussions on the transitions
    between sexual and asexual reproduction.
acknowledgement: We acknowledge Prof. Uri Alon for introducing us to the topic of
  systems biology during the graduate course at the Weizmann Institute of Science,
  whose insights and teachings have greatly inspired this work.
article_number: '20250202'
article_processing_charge: No
article_type: original
author:
- first_name: Oran
  full_name: Ayalon, Oran
  last_name: Ayalon
- first_name: Harikrishnan
  full_name: Rajendran, Harikrishnan
  id: 876b6b34-8ff4-11ec-97c9-8d95a7aae416
  last_name: Rajendran
citation:
  ama: Ayalon O, Rajendran H. Interplay of asexual and sexual reproduction in bifunctional
    insects. <i>Journal of the Royal Society Interface</i>. 2025;22(229). doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2025.0202">10.1098/rsif.2025.0202</a>
  apa: Ayalon, O., &#38; Rajendran, H. (2025). Interplay of asexual and sexual reproduction
    in bifunctional insects. <i>Journal of the Royal Society Interface</i>. Royal
    Society. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2025.0202">https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2025.0202</a>
  chicago: Ayalon, Oran, and Harikrishnan Rajendran. “Interplay of Asexual and Sexual
    Reproduction in Bifunctional Insects.” <i>Journal of the Royal Society Interface</i>.
    Royal Society, 2025. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2025.0202">https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2025.0202</a>.
  ieee: O. Ayalon and H. Rajendran, “Interplay of asexual and sexual reproduction
    in bifunctional insects,” <i>Journal of the Royal Society Interface</i>, vol.
    22, no. 229. Royal Society, 2025.
  ista: Ayalon O, Rajendran H. 2025. Interplay of asexual and sexual reproduction
    in bifunctional insects. Journal of the Royal Society Interface. 22(229), 20250202.
  mla: Ayalon, Oran, and Harikrishnan Rajendran. “Interplay of Asexual and Sexual
    Reproduction in Bifunctional Insects.” <i>Journal of the Royal Society Interface</i>,
    vol. 22, no. 229, 20250202, Royal Society, 2025, doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2025.0202">10.1098/rsif.2025.0202</a>.
  short: O. Ayalon, H. Rajendran, Journal of the Royal Society Interface 22 (2025).
corr_author: '1'
date_created: 2025-08-24T22:01:30Z
date_published: 2025-08-13T00:00:00Z
date_updated: 2026-08-12T14:09:20Z
day: '13'
department:
- _id: SyCr
doi: 10.1098/rsif.2025.0202
external_id:
  isi:
  - '001548084900001'
  pmid:
  - '40799050'
intvolume: '        22'
isi: 1
issue: '229'
language:
- iso: eng
month: '08'
oa_version: None
pmid: 1
publication: Journal of the Royal Society Interface
publication_identifier:
  eissn:
  - 1742-5662
  issn:
  - 1742-5689
publication_status: published
publisher: Royal Society
quality_controlled: '1'
scopus_import: '1'
status: public
title: Interplay of asexual and sexual reproduction in bifunctional insects
type: journal_article
user_id: 2DF688A6-F248-11E8-B48F-1D18A9856A87
volume: 22
year: '2025'
...