Wednesday, May 23, 2007 | Reason : Evolution and Biology | print version

Shark virgin birth mystery is solved

by metro.co.uk

Thanks to Billy Sands for the link.

Reposted from:
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=50123&in_page_id=34

It was the 'virgin birth' that baffled scientists for years.

But now the mystery of a hammerhead shark born at a zoo where there were no male sharks has been solved – it seems females of the species can reproduce without having sex.

The shark was born at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Nebraska in 2001 and there were three potential mothers in the same tank.

All had been in captivity for at least three years. Scientists thought one of them might have mated before being captured and stored the sperm for fertilisation.

But when they analysed the baby shark's DNA, it matched up only with its mother's.

Dr Paulo Prodohl, of the School of Biological Sciences at Queen's University in Belfast, said: 'The findings were really surprising. As far as anyone knew, all sharks reproduced only sexually by a male and female mating – requiring the embryo to get DNA from both parents for full development, just like in mammals.'

Females of a small number of vertebrate species can give birth to fully formed young without requiring eggs to be first fertilised by a male's sperm.

This ability, known as parthenogenesis, is seen in some birds, reptiles and amphibians.

However, it has never been seen before in sharks.

Research co-author Dr Mahmood Shivji said: 'It now appears that at least some female sharks can switch from a sexual to a non-sexual mode of Discovery: Researchers found a female hammerhead shark conceived asexually reproduction in the absence of males.'

Add to del.icio.us Posted: Wednesday, May 23, 2007 | Permalink

Comments 1 - 37 of 37 |

Reload Comments | Back to Top | Page Numbers

1. Comment #43904 by KeithMcW on May 23, 2007 at 3:48 am

What! You mean to tell me it's not the shark Messiah!

Other Comments by KeithMcW

2. Comment #43905 by Jolly Wally on May 23, 2007 at 3:49 am

Thank goodness that was cleared up! People might've got the wrong idea and thought it was a god!

Other Comments by Jolly Wally

3. Comment #43909 by BillySands on May 23, 2007 at 3:53 am

What! You mean to tell me it's not the shark Messiah!

NO, he's not the messiah, he's just a very naughty boy!

Other Comments by BillySands

4. Comment #43912 by MartinSGill on May 23, 2007 at 3:55 am

So... with parthenogenesis now known to occur in loads of species, how long will it be before the god-worshipers seize on this as "proof" of the virgin birth?

Given that my knowledge of biology is limited, it certainly stands to reason that if parthenogenesis exists in a wide range of other species, it might exist in mammals.

The good news is... it also means that "jesus" wouldn't actually be divine, just very unusual.

Other Comments by MartinSGill

5. Comment #43915 by posiedon on May 23, 2007 at 3:59 am

Fancy having to go through the pain and trauma of childbirth, without enjoying the sex first!!

Other Comments by posiedon

6. Comment #43916 by BaronOchs on May 23, 2007 at 4:00 am

MartinSGill I think Dawkins actually mentions some theory like that here!:

http://www.richarddawkins.net/article,452,The-Komodo-Dragons-Tale,Richard-Dawkins

Other Comments by BaronOchs

7. Comment #43922 by gcdavis on May 23, 2007 at 4:08 am

As God finds us unworthy he has entrusted his second coming to the body of a fish. It is clear to me that God's revenge, namely climate change, will result in the flooding of our entire planet and that the future of Christianity lies in the "hands" of a Shark. (No change there then).

Other Comments by gcdavis

8. Comment #43924 by Russell Blackford on May 23, 2007 at 4:10 am

It's a very naughty girl, I assume, if its DNA is identical to the mother's. Or is there some more complicated story like with those pesky Komodo dragons?

Other Comments by Russell Blackford

9. Comment #43925 by Philip1978 on May 23, 2007 at 4:11 am

Yikes chaps, if nature carries on this way we are on the road to being superfluous! hehehehe

Other Comments by Philip1978

10. Comment #43928 by BaronOchs on May 23, 2007 at 4:17 am

Philip1978 you might be right . . .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaguya

Other Comments by BaronOchs

11. Comment #43938 by Peacebeuponme on May 23, 2007 at 4:29 am

MartinSGill:

So... with parthenogenesis now known to occur in loads of species, how long will it be before the god-worshipers seize on this as "proof" of the virgin birth?

Given that my knowledge of biology is limited, it certainly stands to reason that if parthenogenesis exists in a wide range of other species, it might exist in mammals.

The good news is... it also means that "jesus" wouldn't actually be divine, just very unusual.

After reading the Komodo Dragon bit, it looks like parthenogenesis can only resuly in female offspring. The fundies still have an argument. Maybe Thomas should have tugged at his beard as well as poking fingers through his stigmata.

Other Comments by Peacebeuponme

12. Comment #43943 by BillySands on May 23, 2007 at 4:37 am

Peacebeuponme

Jesus could only ever be female if this happened in humans. Females have two X chromosomes and no Y chromosome, and males have one X and one Y chromosome. There s no way a woman can provide a Y chromosome, unless mary was something wierd like an XXY man, which may be possible, because "she" does have a beard in the life of brian http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X67lJ8eC1J0

Other Comments by BillySands

13. Comment #43945 by MartinSGill on May 23, 2007 at 4:38 am

Thanks for the link BaronOchs. I'd actually read that before but forgot about it.

I think the important point is:

Mary being a mammal, whether she reproduced by cloning or by selfing, the result could only be a daughter. Jesus either had an earthly father, or Jesus was a woman.

Wouldn't that upset the christians?

Other Comments by MartinSGill

14. Comment #43957 by CJ22 on May 23, 2007 at 4:55 am

Is this the prophecied messiah of the Jaws?

Other Comments by CJ22

15. Comment #43992 by Luthien on May 23, 2007 at 6:29 am

Wouldn't that upset the christians?

No, because they all know that an angel came unto Mary ;-)

(sorry, I couldn't resist saying that)

Other Comments by Luthien

16. Comment #44008 by Peacebeuponme on May 23, 2007 at 7:15 am

BillySands - That's what I was trying to say, except in addition to my inadequate spelling I missed out the phrase "in humans". Still happy to get in a cheap gag about Jesus being a lady though.

Other Comments by Peacebeuponme

17. Comment #44010 by LookToWindward on May 23, 2007 at 7:17 am

Perhaps the shark was 'born to the medichlorians'?

Other Comments by LookToWindward

18. Comment #44019 by BillySands on May 23, 2007 at 7:31 am

Peacebeuponme

I'm a bit slow today - doh!

Other Comments by BillySands

19. Comment #44020 by Philip1978 on May 23, 2007 at 7:32 am

I have just been listening to Marilyn Manson's Disposable Teens song and he claims he is a "survived abortion", surely that is better and far more miraculous than simply being born from a virgin! Should I start worshipping him now?

Other Comments by Philip1978

20. Comment #44022 by Robert Maynard on May 23, 2007 at 7:40 am

..nope!

Other Comments by Robert Maynard

21. Comment #44023 by Philip1978 on May 23, 2007 at 7:41 am

Spoilsport!!

Other Comments by Philip1978

22. Comment #44068 by Peacebeuponme on May 23, 2007 at 8:50 am

BillySands

np - Always good to be reminded of the stoning scene - "Even if they do say jehovah!"

Other Comments by Peacebeuponme

23. Comment #44123 by Enlightenme.. on May 23, 2007 at 10:56 am

I do hope the scientists left the deceased shark in the tank for 3 or 4 days...just in case.

Other Comments by Enlightenme..

24. Comment #44124 by steveroot on May 23, 2007 at 10:56 am

5. Comment #43915 by posiedon on May 23, 2007 at 3:59 am
avatarFancy having to go through the pain and trauma of childbirth, without enjoying the sex first!!

I thought women were not supposed to enjoy sex. Isn't that why they do the "snip-snip" on muslim women? Christian women who know their place do not enjoy sex either (insert biblical reference here); but it's the only way they can get to heaven.
Steve ;-)

Other Comments by steveroot

25. Comment #44130 by Quetzalcoatl on May 23, 2007 at 11:13 am

Clearly this shark was touched by the flipper of the Shark God.......

wait for it....

Jawsus!

Other Comments by Quetzalcoatl

26. Comment #44146 by TIKI AL on May 23, 2007 at 12:45 pm

I think someone made the mistake of uttering the phrase "jumped the shark" near Bubba, the Nebraska born and bred aquarium cleaner.

Other Comments by TIKI AL

27. Comment #44152 by slummingangel on May 23, 2007 at 1:23 pm

"and the cleaner fish that pecked her cheek was called judas and thus betrayed her and received 30 pieces of pearl"

Other Comments by slummingangel

28. Comment #44169 by ? on May 23, 2007 at 2:09 pm

___Enlightenme said:
"I do hope the scientists left the deceased shark in the tank 3 or 4 days..just in case."

Ha-ha.:)
What will it "ascend into," though? The sky doesn't have enough water.
Jaws VI: The Second Coming

Other Comments by ?

29. Comment #44208 by Damien White on May 23, 2007 at 4:12 pm

This shark is obviously the Messiah, or it is the one who will bring Balance to The Force. Has anyone tested it's midichlorian count?

Other Comments by Damien White

30. Comment #44234 by atheisticism on May 23, 2007 at 7:50 pm

Gawd always did have trouble getting dates, but a shark?? C'mon big guy, I know 2000 years is a long time to not get any, but ya shouldn't have to resort to beastiality! We gotta get a date for gawd people, anyone know a real hard-up woman?

Other Comments by atheisticism

31. Comment #44246 by catchy_nick on May 23, 2007 at 9:19 pm

With this immaculate conception the sharks can finally have the transcendental morality they have been lacking for millions of years. Maybe a hundred years after the death of this messiah shark (son of Jaws) another shark will see him in his dream and write a gospel about him so whosoever believes in him will be raptured into shark heaven.

Other Comments by catchy_nick

32. Comment #44258 by Erick007 on May 23, 2007 at 10:13 pm

Just be glad Mexicans don't have this ability, or we'd all be doomed!

...oh and I'm Mexican, so don't jump on my case. Just a joke.

Other Comments by Erick007

33. Comment #44260 by AlexBogard on May 23, 2007 at 10:41 pm

I do hope the scientists left the deceased shark in the tank for 3 or 4 days...just in case.

Lmao

Other Comments by AlexBogard

34. Comment #44299 by Nick Brennan on May 24, 2007 at 6:36 am

A fascinating scientific discovery and all you guys can do is slag off on religion? Lift your game people!

Other Comments by Nick Brennan

35. Comment #44302 by bluebird on May 24, 2007 at 7:24 am

These guys (and gals) may not be the most attractive ocean critter, but are fascinating. They and their brethren deserve respect and protection.

Other Comments by bluebird

36. Comment #44314 by slummingangel on May 24, 2007 at 9:52 am

truly magnificent creature it just goes to show how little we know about them. pity they've demonized by films

Other Comments by slummingangel

37. Comment #44460 by MrEmpirical on May 24, 2007 at 9:37 pm

LMAO

So many awesome calls in this thread...

Other Comments by MrEmpirical

Reload Comments | Back to Top