First-Ever Crocodile Virgin Birth Could Lead Scientists to New Methods of Conservation and Preservation

 

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have recorded the first ever crocodile virgin birth at a reptile park in Costa Rica. A female American crocodile named Coquita, isolated for 16 years, was found with a clutch of 14 eggs, a phenomenon known as facultative parthenogenesis (FP). This type of asexual reproduction, previously observed in birds, sharks, lizards, and snakes, has been documented in the Crocodilia order for the first time. Seven of the 14 eggs were viable, but none hatched, with one containing a fully formed but non-viable fetus almost genetically identical to the mother. This discovery and the known occurrence of FP in birds suggest a common evolutionary origin, potentially shedding light on the reproductive capabilities of extinct archosaurian relatives of crocodilians, including dinosaurs and pterosaurs.

Dr. Warren Booth, a researcher, parthenogenesis expert, and co-author of the crocodile virgin birth study, noted that the complex mechanism deployed to create the conditions, in this case, were likely inherited from the crocodile’s far distant relatives, the dinosaurs.

Scientists frequently turn to nature for learnings that help reshape man’s understanding of its environment, the potential to solve problems and find medical cures. Where will this latest discovery take the scientific world?

Leslie Samuel, Founder and Creator at Interactive Biology, shared his excitement about this first-of-its-kind crocodile virgin birth discovery and hinted at some of the intriguing possibilities that could domino off of further research into crocodile facultative parthenogenesis.

 

Leslie’s Thoughts:

“Scientists have discovered the first ever virgin birth in crocodiles. You heard that right, a virgin birth. Now this isn’t the first time this has been observed. It’s been seen in birds, sharks, and even lizards. This fascinating phenomenon is called facultative parthenogenesis. It’s when a species that typically reproduces sexually will reproduce asexually. But this is the first time it’s ever been seen in crocodiles. Now, I know what you’re thinking. What in the world does this mean? And that’s precisely what scientists are trying to figure out. Is it possible that other species can reproduce by facultative parthenogenesis that we never knew about? Is this a way for some species on the brink of extinction to still reproduce? If it is possible for reproduction to happen even in isolation, does this open new avenues for how we approach conservation and preserving biodiversity? Also, does this give us insight into how other extinct reptiles, like dinosaurs, how they reproduced?

This could transform the way we think about life and survival strategies in these ancient creatures. I believe this is a whole new realm of biology just waiting to be explored.”

 

Article written by James Kent.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

sustainable transformation
The Path to Sustainable Transformation Is Rooted in Strategy, Execution and Reflection
November 1, 2024

Many strive for change, yet achieving and sustaining it is a complex journey. As people chase higher goals, often in career, personal growth, or relationships, the need to reevaluate approaches to sustainable transformation becomes apparent. Research suggests that nearly 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by mid-February, indicating a need for sustainable systems, not…

Read More
cloud-based solutions
C3 Cloud-Based Solutions Delivers Real-Time Transparency, Driver Coordination, and Simulation Tools for a Resilient Supply Chain
October 31, 2024

The logistics industry faces constant challenges as the need for efficient, cloud-based solutions intensifies. Many warehouses continue to operate manually; up to 53% of employee time is spent on non-value-adding tasks like walking and searching for items, according to industry studies. This manual approach not only hampers efficiency but leads to significant delays, errors,…

Read More
personalized solutions
Personalized Solutions Through Data Are the Future of Aligning Healthcare Staff Needs with Patient Outcomes
October 31, 2024

The healthcare industry faces unprecedented challenges, with workforce shortages pushing hospital labor costs to over 60% of total expenses. This strain is compounded by rising burnout rates among healthcare providers, particularly nurses. A recent AMN Healthcare survey revealed that nurses are prioritizing well-being and flexibility in 2024, underscoring the urgent need for personalized solutions…

Read More
Transforming Education: Connected Education Kits for Rural Markets
Transforming Education: Connected Education Kits for Rural Markets
October 31, 2024

In the latest episode of The Edge and Beyond podcast, Michelle Dawn Mooney dives into the transformative role of technology in education, highlighting Intel’s Connected Education Kits. Developed in partnership with ApplianSys, these kits are designed to bring quality digital learning to underserved and remote communities. The discussion explores how these kits are a game-changer…

Read More