Sharks go solo: first confirmed parthenogenesis in cartilaginous fish
Scientists confirm parthenogenesis in sharks, showing females can produce offspring without mates. In a zoo tank, a bonnethead gave birth to a pup with DNA identical to its mother, a hallmark of unfertilised egg development, challenging assumptions about cartilaginous fish reproduction. Additional cases in bamboo sharks and sawfish suggest this may be an emergency strategy when mates are scarce, though such offspring often have reduced genetic diversity and viability. The phenomenon is mainly documented in captivity, with unknown implications for wild populations and breeding programs.
