Hermaphrodite life history and the maintenance of partial selfing in experimental populations of Caenorhabditis elegans

Classic population genetics theory predicts that mixed reproductive systems, where self reproduction (selfing) and outcrossing co-exist, should not be as common as they are in nature. One means of reconciling theory with observations is to recognize that sexual conflict between males and hermaphrodites and/or constraints in the allocation of resources towards sex functions in hermaphrodites can balance the fitness components of selfing and outcrossing.PhD fellowship from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT; SFRH/BD/36726/2007); National Science Foundation - Funding (DEB-1120417