A SWELL shark egg has hatched a pup, despite being found in a tank with no males, stunned researchers at a Louisiana aquarium have announced.
The miraculous ‘virgin birth’ discovery was first made eight months ago.
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Though the aquarium’s husbandry team say the egg could have gone unnoticed for an additional two months prior.
The swell shark pup, called Yoko, hatched on 3 January, and has been closely monitored ever since.
“We’re thrilled to announce the hatching of a new swell shark pup – without a male present,” the aquarium wrote in a Facebook post.
“Our team determined that the two female sharks residing in the tank had not been in contact with a male in over three years.
“This does suggest that either a phenomenon called parthenogenesis, a rare form of asexual reproduction, or delayed fertilisation, where fertilisation occurs long after mating, may have occurred.”
Parthenogenesis – how so-called ‘partho babies’ are born – is natural form of asexual reproduction in which an embryo can grow from an unfertilised egg.
Its a natural phenomenon has been observed in more than 80 species, from bees, to fleas, to scorpions and lizards.
Though researchers note that young sharks born in such extraordinary ways can face significant challenges, and may not survive to adulthood.
The pup will undergo DNA tests to determine whether it is a true ‘partho baby’ or a result of delayed fertilisation.
“This situation is incredible and shows the resilience of this species,” said Greg Barrick, the curator of live animals at Shreveport Aquarium.
“We are very excited in the coming months to confirm whether this was indeed a case of parthenogenesis or if it was delayed fertilisation.”
Charlotte the stingray
Charlotte the stingray similarly made headlines last year over her own miraculous pregnancy, having also been living in an all-female tank.
There were theories she may have mated with one of the young male bamboo sharks in her tank.
But it turned out Charlotte reproduced all on her own through parthenogenesis.
The process is incredibly rare, but has been seen in other kinds of sharks and rays while in human care.
These ‘virgin births’ are thought to be the key to protecting endangered species, rowing them back from the edge of extinction.
The pregnancy had been deemed “a once-in-a-lifetime science mystery,” by the Aquarium & Shark Lab, based in South Carolina.
Image credit: AP
