Asexual reproduction gives an individual (in the genetic sense) more time to reproduce while also acting as something of a checksum on the genome as a whole. Su

Asexual reproduction gives an individual (in the genetic sense) more time to reproduce while also acting as something of a checksum on the genome as a whole. Survival during disease outbreaks would certainly be increased if one didn't need to balance infection versus dying of old age against somewhat more genetically advantageous sexual reproduction. It's an interesting delay tactic.