Worm Study: Sex Is Good

[dArKeR]

Male sex really is important to the survival of the species — at least for the nematode, a lowly worm that can reproduce without masculine help but adapts better if males get into the act.

In a study appearing Friday in the journal Science, researchers say they have found that nematodes resulting from the union of a male and female worm are able to switch gender in response to changes in the environment. But worms born through a parent's self-fertilization are unable to make this gender change.

This, said Elizabeth B. Goodwin, a University of Wisconsin researcher, may be the reason nature keeps males as a part of the nematode population, even when they aren't needed for reproduction.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/11/06/tech/main582334.shtml

[SoCalDem]

1. But... that same study showed that the life-span

drops when male-female action happens :evilgrin:

Maybe even worms prefer a shorter happy life :)

[realFedUp]

2. I've had sex with a couple of worms...

ok, that was too easy.