Sexual reproduction generates variation that increases the likelihood of survival in a world that generates intense competition.
In the first part, there is an interesting study about these little fish. The sexually reproducing species was better adapted to parasite loads than the asexual reproducers– until the sexual reproducing fish become inbred. Then they can’t handle the parasite load at all. (MHC diversity, anyone?)
(Click here for Part II, which will take you to the rest).
In ungulates, the genetic diversity is preserved through heavy parasite loads despite heavy inbreeding.
Yes, I spent all night going through JSTOR.
Women find the scent of men with different MHC genes more attractive than those with similar MHC genes.
It’s toward the end.