Phoenix, Arizona - Twilight the shark is no longer the lone shark in a Phoenix high school class's fish tank; she's a mom despite being celibate for four years.
Teacher Fredi Lajvardi and his science students investigated the birth and discovered that it's rare.
"As far as we know, we are the third case worldwide," Lajvardi said.
This type of birth is known as parthenogenesis, in which an unfertilized egg develops into a new pup, said Lajvardi, program manager for the Carl Hayden Center for Marine Science.
"Normally, it would recombine with the father's half of the gene," the teacher said. "But because there is no father, the mother provided the other half."
The week-old pup, which students named Dawn, was born to the white-spotted bamboo shark living in one of the school's marine-science classrooms.
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Full Version: Mate-less shark gives birth
Oh my god. That is so beautiful.
Ive never heard of this happening to sharks before. Thats cool as.
I wonder what spurs on the growth of the baby shark?
Ive never heard of this happening to sharks before. Thats cool as.
I wonder what spurs on the growth of the baby shark?
Again nature is truely amazing 
Nature always finds a way 
What an amazing story...Nature at it's best... 
QUOTE
This type of birth is known as parthenogenesis, in which an unfertilized egg develops into a new pup, said Lajvardi, program manager for the Carl Hayden Center for Marine Science.
I don't know much about this particular shark, but I DO know that mollies and swordtails (freshwater fish) can store sperm from a mate for a very long time. I think before jumping to the conclusion of parthenogenesis, one would have to do tests to verify that the offspring was an identicle clone of the parent.
QUOTE(owlscrying @ Sep 19 2007, 09:32 AM) 
Phoenix, Arizona - Twilight the shark is no longer the lone shark in a Phoenix high school class's fish tank; she's a mom despite being celibate for four years.
Teacher Fredi Lajvardi and his science students investigated the birth and discovered that it's rare.
"As far as we know, we are the third case worldwide," Lajvardi said.
This type of birth is known as parthenogenesis, in which an unfertilized egg develops into a new pup, said Lajvardi, program manager for the Carl Hayden Center for Marine Science.
"Normally, it would recombine with the father's half of the gene," the teacher said. "But because there is no father, the mother provided the other half."
The week-old pup, which students named Dawn, was born to the white-spotted bamboo shark living in one of the school's marine-science classrooms.
go
Teacher Fredi Lajvardi and his science students investigated the birth and discovered that it's rare.
"As far as we know, we are the third case worldwide," Lajvardi said.
This type of birth is known as parthenogenesis, in which an unfertilized egg develops into a new pup, said Lajvardi, program manager for the Carl Hayden Center for Marine Science.
"Normally, it would recombine with the father's half of the gene," the teacher said. "But because there is no father, the mother provided the other half."
The week-old pup, which students named Dawn, was born to the white-spotted bamboo shark living in one of the school's marine-science classrooms.
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like mary and jesus
Thats GREAT.
Congradulations to the new momma! I only ever heard of one other case like this, but it,s truely amazing!
QUOTE(Neognosis @ Sep 19 2007, 12:42 PM)
I don't know much about this particular shark, but I DO know that mollies and swordtails (freshwater fish) can store sperm from a mate for a very long time. I think before jumping to the conclusion of parthenogenesis, one would have to do tests to verify that the offspring was an identicle clone of the parent.
I never thought of it like that... I guess it would be a natural form of cloning. Like with those Komodo Dragons in Chester. How clever!
QUOTE(evil inside @ Sep 19 2007, 05:27 PM)
I never thought of it like that... I guess it would be a natural form of cloning. Like with those Komodo Dragons in Chester. How clever!
What Komodo Dragons in Chester....I'm fascinated!!!
QUOTE(keithisco @ Sep 19 2007, 04:03 PM)
What Komodo Dragons in Chester....I'm fascinated!!!
Here is a link to the zoo, though I am sure there are other stories. Click here.
Lucky buggers!! Those sharks are expensive!! And they require a rather large tank.
And oh yeah, virgin birth. Really cool.
But those are expensive fish!! They should consider themselves lucky to have two.
And oh yeah, virgin birth. Really cool.
But those are expensive fish!! They should consider themselves lucky to have two.
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