biostudies-literatureUnknown9(1)Janko KInterspecific competition is a fundamental process affecting community structure and evolution of interacting species. Besides direct competition, this process is also mediated by shared enemies, which can change the outcome of competition dramatically. However, previous studies investigating interactions between competing species and their parasites (parasite-mediated competition) completely overlooked the effect of 'sperm' parasites (i.e. sperm-dependent parthenogens or pseudogams) on competition. These organisms originate by interspecific hybridization, produce clonal gametes, but exploit parental species for their own reproduction, being therefore analogous to classical parasites. Here we use the reaction-diffusion model and show that pseudogams alter the outcome of interspecific compeScientific reports722https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6345890biostudies-literatureSperm-dependent asexual hybrids determine competition among sexual species.PMC6345890Janko KMikulicek PEisner JfalseSperm-dependent asexual hybrids determine competition among sexual species.Interspecific competition is a fundamental process affecting community structure and evolution of interacting species. Besides direct competition, this process is also mediated by shared enemies, which can change the outcome of competition dramatically. However, previous studies investigating interactions between competing species and their parasites (parasite-mediated competition) completely overlooked the effect of 'sperm' parasites (i.e. sperm-dependent parthenogens or pseudogams) on competition. These organisms originate by interspecific hybridization, produce clonal gametes, but exploit parental species for their own reproduction, being therefore analogous to classical parasites. Here we use the reaction-diffusion model and show that pseudogams alter the outcome of interspecific compe2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Jan2025-04-26T08:58:23.045Z2019-03-26T22:41:53ZS-EPMC63458903067944910.1038/s41598-018-35167-z