
Nuestra Tiberone de la Conception, Hammerhead shark, Sphyrna zygaena
A female hammerhead shark gave birth to a pup in the Henry Doorly Zoo in Nebraska in 2001 despite having no contact with a male shark. Thanks to new DNA profiling technology, scientists have been able to show conclusively that the shark pup contained no genetic material from a male. Before you whip out your Book of Revelations and start begging for forgiveness, you should know that this is an example of a naturally occurring phenomenon called parthenogenesis. In parthenogenesis, egg cells develop as an embryo without the addition of any genetic material from a male sperm cell. This reproductive process has been witnessed in bony fish before, but never in cartilaginous fish like sharks.
Asexual reproduction decreases genetic diversity, and thus can weaken a species as a whole. Witnessing the hammerhead's virgin birth is thus a cause of concern for scientists, worried about further weakening of already threatened shark species in the world.
Zooillogix
Don't Stick Your Fingers in the Cage
Search this blog
Video of the Week
Stingray Giving Birth
Bleiman Brothers Profile

In the wild, Andrew feeds on fish, sponges, small crustaceans, nematode worms and protozoans.

Benny's diet is very specialized, consisting mainly of the interior of Ramy nuts, nectar from the Traveller's Palm tree, some fungi and insect grubs. He is also known to raid coconut plantations, and has been seen eating lychees and mangoes, which are also plantation crops.
Recent Posts
- Japanese Dolphin: Out of the Pan and into the Fire...
- Walking Catfish
- Manipulating Sound: Two Amazing Animal Adaptations
- Piranhas and Pedicures
- Flesh-Eating Slug Invades Wales
- Leopard Attacking Crocodile
- Giant Freshwater Stingray Caught in Thailand
- Mysterious New Insect Bumfuzzles Brits
- Golden Ray Migration
- StickyBot and Directional Adhesion
Recent Comments
- Raja on Japanese Dolphin: Out of the Pan and into the Fire...
- Theodosia on Walking Catfish
- aubrey on Miniature Pigs: Pets of the Future
- aubrey on Miniature Pigs: Pets of the Future
- Zelly on Walking Catfish
- summer on Miniature Pigs: Pets of the Future
- Melissa on Miniature Pigs: Pets of the Future
- ym on Manipulating Sound: Two Amazing Animal Adaptations
- Mark Lees on Piranhas and Pedicures
- Tommaso on Manipulating Sound: Two Amazing Animal Adaptations
Archives
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
Blogroll
Look How Important We Are
View blog authority
Read the super-informative Interview with the Bleiman Brothers
World's Largest Zoo and Shot Glass Collection
Now accepting donations in exchange for recognition and fame on Zooillogix!
Currently Featured: Mystic Aquarium generously donated by Eric Heupel of The Other 95%
The List:
Adventure Aquarium
Bronx Zoo
Brookfield Zoo
Cincinnati Zoo
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Florida Aquarium
Georgia Aquarium
Knoxville Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo
Maritime Center in Norwalk, CT
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Mystic Aquarium
New England Aquarium
New York Aquarium
Newport Aquarium
Philadelphia Zoo
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
San Diego Zoo
Sea World San Diego
Shedd Aquarium
Smithsonian National Zoo
South Carolina Aquarium
Tennessee Aquarium
Feed me Seymour!
« Beasts from the Depths | Main | Flaming Flamingos Win Adoption Rights »
Hammerhead Shark Had Immaculate Birth
Category: hammerhead • immaculate conception • parthenogenesis
Posted on: May 23, 2007 2:10 PM, by ableiman







Having problems commenting? (UPDATED)