Evolutionary biologists have agreed that sex is essential to evolutionary longevity, however they cannot agree why (Milius, 2000). Rotifers seem to be another fly in their ointment.
In the end, researchers have found that nearly identical pairs of genes were found in rotifers that reproduced sexually (nonbdelloid). This result was expected for sexually reproducing diploids. However, these identical genes were not found in bdelloids. "Even the most similar copies found in any bdelloid genome are more divergent than the most divergent pair found in any other rotifer" (Welch & Meselson, 2000).
Recommendations for Specific Research to Answer the Question:
Additional research certainly needs to be performed on bdelloid rotifers to determine exactly why and how they are able to be so evolutionarily successful without sexual reproduction. To date, the fossil record has not found any male bdelloid rotifers, however, the search has been less than exhaustive and must continue, to...
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