A shark pup was born in August at Brookfield Zoo... it was hatched from an egg that was not fertilized by a male shark. (Virgin birth!)
Scientists say this species has undergone a virgin birth while in captivity!
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A female shark at Brookfield Zoo in Illinois has birthed a pup despite having no contact with a male for four years, the zoo announced on Nov. 1.
The "virgin birth" occurred on Aug. 23 after a five-month incubation period and is only the second known birth without fertilization reported for an epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum) in captivity, according to a statement. Animal care staff kept the pup hidden from the public for two months for monitoring but have now said the 5- to 6-inch (13 to 15 centimetres) female shark will be on display in the zoo's "Living Coasts" section.
"This epaulette shark has an exciting hatch day story," Brookfield Zoo staff wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday (Nov. 9). "What's most interesting is this embryo developed without the need for male fertilization. This process, known as parthenogenesis, is relatively rare for complex vertebrates like sharks."
Parthenogenesis, meaning "virgin creation" in Greek, is a type of asexual reproduction in species that would usually reproduce sexually. It has been observed in birds, sharks, lizards and snakes in captivity — and in June, scientists recorded the first-ever virgin birth in a crocodile. The females of species capable of parthenogenesis can produce eggs that contain all the genetic information needed for reproduction. (Mammals cannot reproduce asexually, because mammals, including humans, require certain genes to come from sperm.)
MEANWHILE: A crowd has gathered outside the zoo and other people are making a pilgrimage to Brookfield so that they can pay homage to the baby and petition it for miracles and cures!
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