Carvalho, SaraChelo, Ivo MGoy, ChristineTeotónio, Henrique2017-05-242017-05-242014-06-02Carvalho et al. : The role of hermaphrodites in the experimental evolution of increased outcrossing rates in Caenorhabditis elegans . BMC Evolutionary Biology 2014 14 :116.http://hdl.handle.net/10400.7/758This deposit is composed by the main article plus the supplementary materials of the publication.Why most organisms reproduce via outcrossing rather than selfing is a central question in evolutionary biology. It has long ago been suggested that outcrossing is favoured when it facilitates adaptation to novel environments. We have previously shown that the experimental evolution of increased outcrossing rates in populations of the male-hermaphrodite nematode Caenorhabditis elegans were correlated with the experimental evolution of increased male fitness. However, it is unknown whether outcrossing led to adaptation, and if so, which fitness components can explain the observed increase in outcrossing rates.engAnimalsCaenorhabditis elegansGenetic FitnessGenetic VariationHermaphroditic OrganismsMaleReproductionBiological EvolutionReproduction, Asexualjournal article10.1186/1471-2148-14-116