Discoveries

June 14, 2023

Going Solo

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A new study recently confirmed the first “virgin birth” observed in a crocodile, offering new insights about the evolutionary origins of the trait, Live Science reported.

Scientists recorded the bizarre birthing by a captive female American crocodile at Parque Reptilandia in Costa Rica. The animal was taken into captivity in 2002 and remained alone for 16 years.

Then in 2018, zoo keepers found 14 eggs in the crocodile’s enclosure – and half of that clutch was viable. They initially tried to incubate these eggs for three months, but they failed to hatch.

A research team then opened the eggs and discovered only one contained a fully-formed – but stillborn – fetus. Genetic analysis of the fetus showed that it was almost identical to the mother, while lacking any paternal genes.

Researchers explained that the phenomenon is known as facultative parthenogenesis (FP), a type of asexual reproduction in species that would normally reproduce sexually.

FP has already been recorded in birds, sharks, and other species in captivity, but the findings mark the first time it’s been observed in Crocodilia – the order that includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials.

The team noted that the study hints at some major implications about the evolution of FP and the reproductive capabilities of dinosaurs.

Both birds and crocodilians are remaining representatives of archosaurs – the group that included dinosaurs and pterosaurs.

This story originally appeared in the June 14, 2023 newsletter, When the Levee Breaks.