How can self-fertilizing hermaphroditic cyprinodont fishes preserve a population?

Self-fertilizing hermaphroditic fishes, including certain cyprinodonts, preserve a population by overcoming the challenge of low population density where the probability of encountering a mate is limited. In such isolated or extreme environments, the ability to self-fertilize allows a single individual to establish a local population.12

While hermaphroditism is relatively common among bony fishes, the specific evolution of self-fertilization provides a distinct survival advantage when finding a partner is difficult. By producing both male and female gametes, these fish ensure reproduction can occur even in the absence of other sexually active individuals. However, this reproductive strategy comes with a trade-off: while it stabilizes specific genetic strains, it limits genetic variability within the population, which can restrict the species' capacity to adapt to environmental changes.132