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A female shark at a zoo in the US has delivered a baby shark without any interaction with male sharks in the past four years, making it the second recorded instance of a “virgin birth” in captivity for this species.
The Brookfield Zoo in Illinois shared on Facebook that sharks reproduce by laying eggs, and what is particularly fascinating is that the embryo can develop without the need for male fertilization.
Scientists have been captivated by the concept of parthenogenesis, which refers to the process of giving birth without mating, for the past twenty years.
In recent years, there have been reports of parthenogenesis occurring in various animals, both in their natural habitats and in captivity. This phenomenon has been observed in birds, non-avian reptiles, snakes, and lizards. It is uncommon for more complex vertebrates like sharks to experience these types of asexual reproductions.
The epaulette sharks are creatures that are active at night and can be found in the warm and shallow waters along the southern coast of New Guinea and the northern coast of Australia.
When fully grown, they can grow to be around 2.5 to 3 feet long and can survive in areas with low oxygen levels. They have been observed using their strong pectoral fins to move short distances on land, almost as if walking.
On August 23rd, the Brookfield Zoo achieved a rare feat by successfully hatching epaulette shark pups through a process of asexual reproduction, making it one of only two facilities to do so.
The female shark reached sexual maturity at the age of 3 and began laying eggs at the age of 7.
According to zoo officials, since her arrival at Brookfield Zoo in 2019, she has not been living with a male.
The zoo reported that the shark started producing two to four eggs per month, with only one being viable. After five months of incubation, a pup hatched from the fertile egg.
“We are pleased to announce that our epaulette pup is thriving on her diet consisting of finely diced capelin, minced squid tentacles, and other finely chopped seafood. We eagerly anticipate visitors having the opportunity to observe the pup,” stated Mike Masellis, a primary caregiver for the animals at Brookfield Zoo.
Source: independent.co.uk
