a stingray. During the autopsy, it was determined that its DNA matched only one of the females and that its genetic code was half of the usual one as it contained no male DNA.

Another example of Parthenogenesis is the case concerning the birth of two white-spotted bamboo sharks surprised the Belle Isle Aquarium staff, in Detroit. As usual, the two female white-spotted bamboo sharks sharing th

Scientists have been puzzled by the animal kingdom as long as the human race has made its first appearance on Earth. Let’s face it, humans are not only known for their intelligence and their ability to think things through but also for their natural curiosity. Such interest in their environment is responsible for the amount of knowledge that has been shared over generations, using spoken or written words. One of the numerous mysteries that puzzle the human mind is this one: “Can shark species survive using Parthenogenesis?”

The second question that comes from the first one is: “What is Parthenogenesis anyway?” Well, let’s answer one question at a time and start at the beginning. Over the years, scientists have been studying the animal kingdom in all its glory. Although they have learned, acquired and shared a lot of knowledge about them, mysteries such as the Parthenogenesis are still amongst the ones teasing their insatiable mind.

Parthenogenesis is the process which allows certain animal species such as: invertebrates, fish, reptiles, birds and sharks to reproduce without being fertilized by a male. In fact, there have been two cases of sharks being born in the captivity of aquariums without the presence of a male.

In fact, this form of asexual reproduction has been observed both in 2001 and in 2002. On December 14, 2001, a seven inch long hammerhead pup was born in a tank home to three adult female hammerhead sharks, at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Nebraska. Unfortunately, the poor little one was killed within three days following its birth. The suspected culprit was a stingray. During the autopsy, it was determined that its DNA matched only one of the females and that its genetic code was half of the usual one as it contained no male DNA.

Another example of Parthenogenesis is the case concerning the birth of two white-spotted bamboo sharks surprised the Belle Isle Aquarium staff, in Detroit. As usual, the two female white-spotted bamboo sharks sharing the

words. One of the numerous mysteries that puzzle the human mind is this one: “Can shark species survive using Parthenogenesis?”

The second question that comes from the first one is: “What is Parthenogenesis anyway?” Well, let’s answer one question at a time and start at the beginning. Over the years, scientists have been studying the animal kingdom in all its glory. Although they have learned, acquired and shared a lot of knowledge about them, mysteries such as the Parthenogenesis are still amongst the ones teasing their insatiable mind.

Parthenogenesis is the process which allows certain animal species such as: invertebrates, fish, reptiles, birds and sharks to reproduce without being fertilized by a male. In fact, there have been two cases of sharks being born in the captivity of aquariums without the presence of a male.

In fact, this form of asexual reproduction has been observed both in 2001 and in 2002. On December 14, 2001, a seven inch long hammerhead pup was born in a tank home to three adult female hammerhead sharks, at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Nebraska. Unfortunately, the poor little one was killed within three days following its birth. The suspected culprit was a stingray. During the autopsy, it was determined that its DNA matched only one of the females and that its genetic code was half of the usual one as it contained no male DNA.

Another example of Parthenogenesis is the case concerning the birth of two white-spotted bamboo sharks surprised the Belle Isle Aquarium staff, in Detroit. As usual, the two female white-spotted bamboo sharks sharing th

acquired and shared a lot of knowledge about them, mysteries such as the Parthenogenesis are still amongst the ones teasing their insatiable mind.

Parthenogenesis is the process which allows certain animal species such as: invertebrates, fish, reptiles, birds and sharks to reproduce without being fertilized by a male. In fact, there have been two cases of sharks being born in the captivity of aquariums without the presence of a male.

In fact, this form of asexual reproduction has been observed both in 2001 and in 2002. On December 14, 2001, a seven inch long hammerhead pup was born in a tank home to three adult female hammerhead sharks, at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Nebraska. Unfortunately, the poor little one was killed within three days following its birth. The suspected culprit was a stingray. During the autopsy, it was determined that its DNA matched only one of the females and that its genetic code was half of the usual one as it contained no male DNA.

Another example of Parthenogenesis is the case concerning the birth of two white-spotted bamboo sharks surprised the Belle Isle Aquarium staff, in Detroit. As usual, the two female white-spotted bamboo sharks sharing th

aquariums without the presence of a male.

In fact, this form of asexual reproduction has been observed both in 2001 and in 2002. On December 14, 2001, a seven inch long hammerhead pup was born in a tank home to three adult female hammerhead sharks, at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Nebraska. Unfortunately, the poor little one was killed within three days following its birth. The suspected culprit was a stingray. During the autopsy, it was determined that its DNA matched only one of the females and that its genetic code was half of the usual one as it contained no male DNA.

Another example of Parthenogenesis is the case concerning the birth of two white-spotted bamboo sharks surprised the Belle Isle Aquarium staff, in Detroit. As usual, the two female white-spotted bamboo sharks sharing th

a stingray. During the autopsy, it was determined that its DNA matched only one of the females and that its genetic code was half of the usual one as it contained no male DNA.

Another example of Parthenogenesis is the case concerning the birth of two white-spotted bamboo sharks surprised the Belle Isle Aquarium staff, in Detroit. As usual, the two female white-spotted bamboo sharks sharing the tank, have been laying eggs. As there were no males to fertilize the eggs, staff usually disposed of them. On that occasion, after hearing about the Henry Doorly Zoo, a staff member decided against that practice. Shocked, they witnessed the birth of two pups, 15 weeks later.

While the Parthenogenesis may help certain shark species to survive, the XY chromosome system that is at the base of their DNA can only produce female (XX) specimens, endangering the male population. Following the birth of the young hammerhead pup, another possibility has raised questions. Is it possible for female sharks to store male sperm without fertilizing its eggs until later on? Can certain shark species be hermaphrodite, having both male and female organs and having the ability to fertilize their own eggs?

Can shark species survive using Parthenogenesis? With your newly acquired knowledge, I invite you to answer the question but to be honest; scientists are still studying that option! What do you think?