We report the reproductive strategy of the nematode Mesorhabditis belari. This species produces only 9% males, whose sperm is necessary to fertilize and activate the eggs. However, most of the fertilized eggs develop without using the sperm DNA and produce female individuals. Only in 9% of eggs is the male DNA utilized, producing sons. We found that mixing of parental genomes only gives rise to males because the Y-bearing sperm of males are much more competent than the X-bearing sperm for penetrating the eggs. In this previously unrecognized strategy, asexual females produce few sexual males whose genes never reenter the female pool. Here, production of males is of interest only if sons are more likely to mate with their sisters. Using game theory, we show that in this context, the production of 9% males by M. belari females is an evolutionary stable strategy.

This protocol describes how to perform single-particle tracking Photo-Activated Localization Microscopy (sptPALM) of membrane proteins in living plant tissues. The procedure covers all stages from sample preparation to data analysis. TWEET A new Protocol for single particle tracking Photo-Activated Localization Microscopy (sptPALM) of membrane proteins in live plant tissues. #PALM #super-resolution @YvonJaillais @RDPlab COVER TEASER sptPALM of membrane proteins in live plant tissues 2