A species of rotifer, a small freshwater invertebrate, lost the ability to reproduce sexually millions of years ago. A remarkable feature of its life cycle is the ability to withstand dry conditions. When the rotifer's environment dries out, so does the rotifer, and it can be blown to a new area. Rotifers that land in water will rehydrate and resume an active life. A major pathogen of these rotifers is a species of fungus that cannot survive drying. Some scientists hypothesize that drying rids the rotifers of this pathogen. (b) Why might the ability to withstand drying reduce any potential advantage of sexual reproduction in this rotifer species?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the key biological processes involved: Understand that sexual reproduction in many species is beneficial primarily for generating genetic diversity, which can help in adapting to changing environments and resisting pathogens.
2. Consider the rotifer's asexual reproduction: Recognize that these rotifers reproduce asexually and thus produce genetically identical offspring, which typically limits genetic diversity.
3. Analyze the impact of the drying process: Acknowledge that the drying process allows rotifers to escape from pathogens like the fungus, which cannot survive drying. This natural 'cleansing' might reduce the immediate need for genetic diversity to combat pathogens.
4. Evaluate the environmental stability: Since the rotifers are adapted to specific stable freshwater environments, the need for rapid adaptation (a key advantage of sexual reproduction) might be less critical.
5. Conclude the potential reduced advantage: Infer that because the drying process helps manage pathogen threats and the environment might be relatively stable, the advantages of genetic diversity from sexual reproduction could be less significant, thereby reducing its potential advantage.