A baby swell shark hatched at the Shreveport Aquarium in Louisiana, surprising researchers as the egg developed without the presence of any male sharks. The aquarium proposes parthenogenesis or delayed fertilization as possible explanations for this unique birth.
The arrival of a baby swell shark at an aquarium in Louisiana has generated widespread excitement after the egg hatched despite the absence of any male sharks. Yoko, the shark pup, was born in early January, according to the Shreveport Aquarium. Yoko hatched from an egg in a tank that housed two female sharks but no males. Notably, neither of the sharks that could have potentially laid the egg had been in contact with a male for over three years, as stated by the aquarium.
The aquarium proposed two possible explanations for the egg's development into a baby shark without male involvement. The first possibility is parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction where an embryo develops from an egg without fertilization. The second possibility is delayed fertilization, where fertilization occurs significantly after mating. Kevin Feldheim, manager of the Pritzker Laboratory for Molecular Systematics and Evolution, whose research focuses on shark mating systems and population biology, spoke to CNN about the phenomenon. Feldheim confirmed that parthenogenesis has been observed in several shark species, including zebra sharks and whitespotted bamboo sharks, and is also believed to have occurred in a species of ray. He explained that parthenogenesis typically occurs when females are isolated from males, though there are instances where females have produced offspring through this method even when males were present. Feldheim highlighted the mystery surrounding the trigger for parthenogenesis, stating that scientists are still working to understand what cues the females to initiate the process. He added that, generally, it is considered a last resort for females to pass on their genes. Feldheim also emphasized the remarkable adaptability of sharks in terms of reproduction, noting that scientists know very little about how long females can store sperm in each species. He cited an example where a female shark was found to have stored sperm for at least 45 months. The Shreveport Aquarium announced its intention to conduct genetic testing on Yoko when she is old enough to determine the exact mechanism behind her birth. Greg Barrick, the aquarium's curator of live animals, expressed his enthusiasm in a press release, stating that this situation is incredible and showcases the resilience of this species. He added that the aquarium is eagerly awaiting the results of the genetic testing in the coming months to confirm whether it was indeed parthenogenesis or delayed fertilization. Barrick concluded by saying that it truly proves that life finds a way
Animal Kingdom SHARK PARTHENOGENESIS DELAYED FERTILIZATION LOUISIANA AQUARIUM
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