American crocodile makes history with first-ever 'virgin birth'
TL;DR
Scientists have documented the first-known occurrence of a "virgin birth" by a crocodile, which was found to be a result of facultative parthenogenesis (FP), or reproduction without the genetic contribution of males. The American crocodile is listed as "vulnerable" on the red list for International Union for Conservation of Nature. The discovery could lead to more information regarding the reptile's ancestors dating back to the Triassic or even Permian period.
- First 'virgin birth' found in American crocodile as reptile spends 16 years in isolation Fox News
- Crocodile found to have made herself pregnant BBC
- Crocodile's 'virgin birth' is a first for science's history books The Conversation
- Virgin crocodile made herself pregnant - a first for her species CBS News
- First ‘virgin birth’ in crocodile found in Costa Rica Al Jazeera English
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