Crocodile has first-ever 'virgin birth' in isolation.
TL;DR
An 18-year-old American crocodile in a Costa Rican zoo impregnated herself through a form of asexual reproduction called facultative parthenogenesis, according to research published Wednesday. While other animals have reproduced through parthenogenesis, it was the first known case involving a crocodile. The stillborn crocodile was a genetic match solely to its mother, meaning that the adult crocodile impregnated herself. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists American crocodiles as a vulnerable species.
Topics:worldscience#asexual-reproduction#crocodile#endangered-species#genetics#parthenogenesis#science
- Study: Crocodile found to impregnate herself, lay eggs, for first time The Washington Post
- First 'virgin birth' found in American crocodile as reptile spends 16 years in isolation Fox News
- Virgin crocodile made herself pregnant - a first for her species CBS News
- Why a ‘virgin’ crocodile pregnancy has ‘tantalising’ implications for dinosaur researchers Euronews
- Crocodile had 'virgin birth' at Costa Rica zoo, researchers say Fox News
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