| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| jonnyc1988 |
Posted - 17/11/2012 : 11:11:49
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/19555550 |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Robert |
Posted - 20/11/2012 : 13:31:13
Some reptiles like some insects are capable of producing viable eggs without a male, this is called parthonogenesis. In the insect world they usually produce all females this way and yes they carry an identical copy of the mothers genes so they are like clones. These animals will mate with a male if there is one around and then the eggs they produce will have a mix of the male and female genes. It's a way of keeping the species going in the absence of local males but it's not a good long term policy as any disease will wipe out the whole population which is why sexual reproduction is preferred as it allows for a wider gene pool and consequently better survival in the longer term. |
| BlueDragon |
Posted - 20/11/2012 : 10:09:11
Forgive me if I'm being thick here, but all females (lets say we're talking about Reptiles here just so things aren't confused) are born from a male and a female (traditionally). Right? So if so, does that not mean that what the females who are producing offspring without a male are doing is using 'their own' genes (female) with that of their father (male)?'Cause she's going to have male genes in her just as a male will have female genes in him.
Does this not mean that they're capable of seperating out these two 'sets' of genes and therefore creating babies who, in a way, do still have male and female genes within them? And therefore will go on to be able to reproduce in the future.
I just can't see the point in being able to produce asexual offspring if they aren't able to then go off and breed themselves. To carry on the species. 'Cause I'm assuming that this adaptation has came about to get around the problem of not having access to males for whatever reason.
It's happened with Liazards, and is actually happening right now in some parts of the world. And what I don't see in the artical is that these Lizards ( I forget what they are, saw it on a documentary) have been seen to go on be able to breed with eachother from a mother that produced them with no male present. So it is known to be able to happen. So surly it's the same with any Animal capable if this feat?
Sorry about that, just a thought I suppose... |
| jonnyc1988 |
Posted - 17/11/2012 : 21:00:39
My understanding of 'viable' was males born capable of surviving and reproducing themselves. Because they lack any genes from a male. Also all offspring will effectively be inbred, which is never great. But I find the ability to switch between sexual and Asexual reproduction in the lack of presence of a male amazing! |
| jbarlow91 |
Posted - 17/11/2012 : 19:20:01
Think it means the eggs are fertile |
| Redd |
Posted - 17/11/2012 : 17:15:05
Strange huh?
What does "viable" mean? |
| Baobab |
Posted - 17/11/2012 : 16:50:45
Better keep checking your vivs for unexpected babies then. |
| Lotabob |
Posted - 17/11/2012 : 12:49:10
Interesting indeed. |
