The Cost of Sex When Males Care, but Canʹt Discriminate

Parthenogenetic mutants may compete with sexual females for male care. Unless males can discriminate between parthenogens and sexual females, male care will not reduce the cost of sex. If males care but cannot discriminate, the cost of sex will be two when all sexual females are fertilized and greater than two when some are not fertilized. Thus, indiscriminate male care could actually help parthenogens to outcompete sexual forms.