AssetID: 54482784
Headline: Aquarium Surprised By ‘Virgin Birth’ Of Swell Shark In All-Female Tank
Caption: Aquarium staff in Louisiana are stunned by an extraordinary 'virgin birth' in their shark exhibit. At Shreveport Aquarium, a young swell shark named 'Yoko' was born in an all-female tank, leaving experts amazed. Remarkably, the two female sharks in the enclosure - one of whom is Yoko’s mother - had not encountered a male in over three years, according to staff. Given that swell sharks have a gestation period of nine to twelve months, this suggests an alternative method of conception. 'This situation is incredible and shows the resilience of this species,' said Greg Barrick, curator of live animals at Shreveport Aquarium. 'It really proves that life finds a way.' Experts believe Yoko is the result of parthenogenesis, a rare form of asexual reproduction where offspring develop from unfertilised eggs. Though unusual, the process has been observed in other species, including mayflies, turkeys, pythons, and boa constrictors. However, the exact triggers behind parthenogenesis and the connection between species that can undergo it remain unclear. Aquarium staff first noticed the egg about eight months ago, though it could have gone undetected for one or two months prior. Hatching on January 3, Yoko is now 'thriving,' according to a statement from the aquarium. There is also a possibility that Yoko’s mother experienced delayed fertilisation, a phenomenon where sperm remains viable inside the female for an extended period before fertilisation occurs. To clarify the mystery, genetic testing will be conducted once Yoko is large enough for a blood test, likely in a few months. 'We are very excited in the coming months to confirm whether this was indeed a case of parthenogenesis or if it was delayed fertilisation,' added Barrick. Yoko’s name does not reference the well-known Japanese conceptual artist but rather derives from the Native American Chumash word for shark - 'onyoko.' Despite the excitement, young sharks born through such rare reproductive processes often face significant challenges and tend to have shorter lifespans. According to the aquarium, Yoko’s time 'could be brief,' but even if so, she will 'still leave an unforgettable legacy.' '[She is] contributing invaluable insights to the study of shark reproduction and conservation efforts,' the aquarium noted. Native to the eastern Pacific, the swell shark (Cephaloscyllium ventriosum) inhabits coastal waters from Monterey Bay, California, to southern Mexico, with populations extending to Chile. The species is known for its remarkable ability to swell its body to twice its normal size by ingesting seawater, an effective defence against predators. Although not targeted for food, swell sharks often fall victim to accidental bycatch in commercial lobster and crab traps, gillnets, and trawl nets.
Keywords: feature,photo feature,photo story,Shreveport Aquarium,virgin birth,mystery,Swell Shark, virgin birth, mystery, Swell Shark
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