RICHMOND, Va., Oct, 10, 2008
Another Shark "Virgin Birth" Confirmed
Scientists Say DNA Proves Female Blacktip Shark In Va. Reproduced Without A Mate
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Photo
A a blacktip shark, Carcharhinus limbatus, is shown in this March 2008 file photo in the Indian Ocean off Aliwal Shoal, South Africa. Scientists have confirmed the second case of a "virgin birth" in a shark. (AP Photo/IOCS/Matthew D. Potenski)
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In a study reported Friday in the Journal of Fish Biology, scientists said DNA testing proved that a pup carried by a female Atlantic blacktip shark in the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center contained no genetic material from a male.
The first documented case of asexual reproduction, or parthenogenesis, among sharks involved a pup born to a hammerhead at an Omaha, Neb., zoo.
At that time, CBS News science and technology correspondent Daniel Sieberg reported parthenogenesis had been documented in reptiles, amphibians and birds previously, but experts said it was the first confirmed case in a shark (audio).
"This first case was no fluke," Demian Chapman, a shark scientist and lead author of the second study, said in a statement. "It is quite possible that this is something female sharks of many species can do on occasion."
The aquarium sharks that reproduced without mates each carried only one pup, while some shark species can produce litters numbering in the dozen or more. The scientists cautioned that the rare asexual births should not be viewed as a possible solution to declining global shark populations.
"It is very unlikely that a small number of female survivors could build their numbers up very quickly by undergoing virgin birth," Chapman said.
The medical mystery began 16 months ago after the death of the Atlantic blacktip shark named Tidbit at the Virginia Beach aquarium. No male blacktip sharks were present during her eight years at the aquarium.
In May 2007, the 5-foot, 94-pound shark died of stress-related complications related to her unknown pregnancy after undergoing a yearly checkup. The 10-inch shark pup was found during a necropsy of Tidbit, surprising aquarium officials. They initially thought the embryonic pup was either a product of a virgin birth or a cross between the blacktip and a male of another shark species - which has never been documented, Chapman said.
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Tidbit's pup was nearly full term, and likely would have been quickly eaten by "really big sand tiger sharks" that were in the tank, Chapman said in a telephone interview from Florida.It is quite possible that this is something female sharks of many species can do on occasion.
Demian Chapman, a shark scientistThat is what happened to the tiny hammerhead pup in the Omaha case.
"By the time they could realize what they were looking at, something munched the baby," he said of aquarium workers. The remains of the pup were used for the DNA testing.
Virgin birth has been proven in some bony fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds, and has been suspected among sharks in the wild. The scientists who studied the Virginia and Nebraska sharks said the newly formed pups acquired one set of chromosomes when the mother's chromosomes split during egg development, then united anew.
Absent the chromosomes present in the male sperm, the offspring of an asexual conception have reduced genetic diversity and, the scientists said, may be at a disadvantage for surviving in the wild. A pup, for instance, can be more susceptible to congenital disorders and diseases.
The scientists said their findings offer "intriguing questions" about how frequently automictic parthenogenesis occurs in the wild.
"It is possible that parthenogenesis could become more common in these sharks if population densities become so low that females have trouble finding mates," said Mahmood Shivji, one of the scientists and director of the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University in Florida.
The DNA fingerprinting techniques used by the scientists are identical to those used in human paternity testing.
Chapman, who is with the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science at Stony Brook, was assisted in the study by Beth Firchau of the Virginia Aquarium.
Chapman and Shivji were on the team that made the first discovery of virgin birth involving the Nebraska shark.
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Posted by heero2020 at 12:28 PM : Oct 10, 2008
as.exual reproduction not homos.exual reproduction
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Posted by Nancy_Naive at 01:05 PM : Oct 10, 2008
Now you''re starting to get it Nancy! Now swallow that arrogant disgusting hatred and pride you have towards Christians and repent before it''s too late!
CBS/AP writes:
... scientists said their findings offer ''intriguing questions''
What else do we not know about the Oceans ?
What other mysteries are out there ?
In the past 100 years or so
We have almost ruined all the Earth and Air
Now we are reaching into the Oceans
The 75% of the rest of Our World
Go slowly and lightly with Wisdom and Reverence
This is the only Lifeboat we have
And no guarantee of Land over the horizon
As the Eagles sing in The Last Resort
''There is no more New Frontier, we have got to make it here''
I think you''re missing the point by forgetting about the normal random transcription errors and random mutations that always occur. If there is only one genome and it is damaged somehow (cosmic rays, environmental toxins, etc.) then there is no hope of a ''good'' copy coming from the other parent. The immediate offspring may be a perfect copy of mom, but there''s no guarantee that it will always be that way in every case.
I think Xianity is inane, insane, and disgustingly immoral. But I don''t hate Christians. I rather pity them, for the most part. But hate? That would be like hating an invalid because they are sick.
The Pope went on to say that Mary was NOT a shark, didn''t have any sharp teeth, and was not found swimming around in Sea World Bethlehem when the 3 wise men arrived. That was her sister Aeriel.
Posted by Nancy_Naive
Actually, it wouldn''t be a clone. Just the same DNA in a different sequence. The risk to the baby is that a bad recessive gene is twice as likely to surface through virgin birth (or incest) as it would be with a non-related father. A non-related father brings a different set of dominant and recessive genes. And there are some genes where one in a chromosome is just fine, even great, but two is a disaster. Grab an 8th grade biology book and it will explain. :)
phydeux2 writes:
Hey TallyMan, shut up with the bible thumping
***************
What in the world you talking about phydeux ?
What ''bible thumping'' ?
Was merely talking History and Philosophical Ethics
But perhaps ... ?
You might think the Eagles Album ''Hotel California''
Is on par with Biblical Writings ?
Imagine Don Henley and the Boys would be Honored ;-)
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Posted by TeddiezMom at 04:07 PM : Oct 10, 2008
what planet are you on? GROW UP CRAZY!
Dogfish have the longest known gestation period of any shark, at 18 to 24 months. Basking sharks and frilled sharks are likely to have even longer gestation periods, but accurate data is lacking.
Posted by Nancy_Naive at 01:05 PM : Oct 10, 2008
It''s possible GOD did it but I doubt that he did. Whats in it for him? nothing but ridicule. If he were to do a miracle, it would either remain unrecognized or it would be so big there would be no question about happened or who did it. ssshhhhheeeesssshhhhh..
More likely it was done by ''ET'' and his buddies. (or sumpthin like that)
WE MAKE OUR OWN HEAVEN OR HELL AFTER DEATH. IF YA WANT TO SEE YOUR PRIVIOUSLY PASSED ON LOVE ONES AFTER YOU PASS ON THEN YOU WILL.
YOU DON''T NEED A KORAN OR A BIBLE OR A PAGAN BOOK OF SHADOWS TO TELL YOU HOW TO DO IT ANYMORE THAN YOU NEED A BOOK TO TELL YOU HOW TO SNEEZE, BLINK OR LOVE YOUR FAMILY.
We don''t have to explain it, it doesn''t concern us.
You seem to be the only ones needing an explanation
Posted by smurfcrusher at 07:36 PM : Oct 10, 2008
I will, I see no point in it.
Posted by Nancy_Naive
You know, that makes perfect sense given the violence and death in the buybull- that this god thing would create a baby shark and then knowing in advance- allow it to be canabalized and eaten by the other sharks in the tank, and in the other case he killed the mother shark just before the pup was almost full term- it truly fits that xtian god of the buybull.
posted by benice6
-Please share with us your afterlife experience where you died and came back to life in order to verify your claims above. That must''ve been some journey for you!
Posted by smurfcrusher at 07:36 PM : Oct 10, 2008
I will, I see no point in it."
Posted by ToolMangler
Maybe God sent Him back as a shark so we won''t destroy the environment.
Such as by, making shark-fin soup.
"He died so we can have tasty soup...!"
WHO FCKING CARES?????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Posted by starsnbars12
Well, the boy sharks are really pissed. All the alimony, none of the fun!
I will hold mass for the Shurch of Shark tomorrow.
To all followers you can purchase a hook, line,
and sinker to commemorate the death of Him.
"For he took a bite out of
all of us so that we can all
learn to bite back"
-Sharus 3:17
Posted by golfinggirrl at 04:43 PM : Oct 10, 2008
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They found a lot of "Star Trek" posters and memorabilia in the aquarium after the shark''s unfortunate demise.
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"How did they know the shark was a virgin? Did it collect Star Trek action figures?"
Posted by easeup at 02:52 PM : Oct 10, 2008
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by erb0087
October 12, 2008 4:46 AM PDT
- "Who"s to say God didn"t send Jesus back as a shark?"
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Reply to this comment
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See all 41 CommentsPosted by smurfcrusher at 07:36 PM : Oct 10, 2008
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I think that"s highly unlikely, despite the common fish symbol Christians have been using for Jesus Christ ever since the days of the catacombs.
Jesus is quoted in the New Testament as promising to return "on the clouds."
Have sharks ever used that mode of transportation ? No, and if they were "flying fish" they wouldn"t need clouds at all.
In fact, "flying sharks" has become a proverbial expression.
As in, "John McCain, our next President. Sure, when sharks fly."