jtotheizzoe: Virgin Births Seen in Wild Vipers Parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction where embryos pop up without fertilization from a male, is actually not uncommon in vertebrates. Certain lizard species reproduce exclusively this way. But seeing an organism that usually reproduces sexually adapt this ability out of nowhere? That had never been confirmed … until now. American copperhead and cottonmouth snakes, both common poisonous viper species, were recently observed by NC State researchers reproducing in precisely this way. Females birthed young whose DNA showed no input from a male snake. Many of these pregnancies can involve developmental defects, since it isn’t their biologically “preferred” way to reproduce, but it shows that if certain organisms are faced with the choice of adapting or dying … well, life finds a way. Also be sure to check out this TED Ed video about sex determination throughout the animal kingdom. It’s a strange business. (more at Nature News)

jtotheizzoe:

Virgin Births Seen in Wild Vipers

Parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction where embryos pop up without fertilization from a male, is actually not uncommon in vertebrates. Certain lizard species reproduce exclusively this way. But seeing an organism that usually reproduces sexually adapt this ability out of nowhere? That had never been confirmed … until now.

American copperhead and cottonmouth snakes, both common poisonous viper species, were recently observed by NC State researchers reproducing in precisely this way. Females birthed young whose DNA showed no input from a male snake. Many of these pregnancies can involve developmental defects, since it isn’t their biologically “preferred” way to reproduce, but it shows that if certain organisms are faced with the choice of adapting or dying … well, life finds a way.

Also be sure to check out this TED Ed video about sex determination throughout the animal kingdom. It’s a strange business.

(more at Nature News)

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