Data and code for: Parthenogenesis is self-destructive for scaled reptiles

Parthenogenesis is rare in nature. With 39 described true parthenogens,
scaled reptiles (Squamata) are the only vertebrates that evolved this
reproductive strategy. Parthenogenesis is ecologically advantageous in the
short-term, but the young age and rarity of parthenogenetic species
indicate it is less advantageous in the long-term. This suggests
parthenogenesis is self-destructive: it arises often but is lost due to
increased extinction rates, high rates of reversal or both. However, this
role of parthenogenesis as a self-destructive trait remains unknown. We
used a phylogeny of Squamata (5,388 species), tree metrics, null
simulations and macroevolutionary scenarios of trait diversification to
address the factors that best explain the rarity of parthenogenetic
species. We show that parthenogenesis can be considered as
self-destructive, with high extinction rates mainly responsible for its
rarity in nature. Since these parthenogenetic species occur, this trait
should be ecologically relevant in the short-term.