Crocodiles are known as ferocious predators and dangerous creatures, but even so, scientists remain speechless to conclude that these animals are capable of what could be called a “virgin birth.” A new study shows that crocodile females are able to lay eggs without having to engage in mating with a male of its crocodile species, as ScienceAlert reveals.
The strange ability of female crocodiles to lay eggs without mating is also known as parthenogenesis, and scientists have spotted evidence of the phenomenon in crocodiles for the first time. A female American crocodile, which was held in captivity for 16 years, laid eggs without having to mate, proving the ability to reproduce asexually. This reproductive strategy, which was observed in reptiles and birds, suggests a possible link to the reproductive abilities of dinosaurs, the ancient relatives of crocodiles.
The research team, which was led by Warren Booth, an evolutionary from Virginia Tech, explained in a statement:
[T]his discovery offers tantalizing insights into the possible reproductive capabilities of the extinct archosaurian relatives of crocodilians and birds, notably members of Pterosauria and Dinosauria.
While parthenogenesis allows females to produce offspring independently, it lacks the genetic diversity brought by two parents. Although the eggs, in this case, did not hatch, the study highlights the prevalence of parthenogenesis in the animal kingdom and its potential significance in evolutionary biology. This groundbreaking discovery expands our understanding of reproduction and provides insights into the reproductive capabilities of extinct archosaurian relatives. Further research is still needed to explore the evolutionary distribution and dynamics of this phenomenon over a broader timeline.
As a side note, one of the fascinating facts about crocodiles is the animals’ ability to survive for long periods without eating. Due to their slow metabolism, crocodiles can go for months without eating food, relying on stored energy in their bodies. In some cases, the reptiles can even survive for up to a year without eating.
The new research appears in Biology Letters.
