mystery surrounds shark pup born in tank that has housed only female sharks
a shark pup was born in a louisiana aquarium tank — but...
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a shark pup was born in a louisiana aquarium tank — but no one knows how.
the shreveport aquarium announced the hatching of a baby swell shark on jan. 3 — but the pup was born in a tank that contains only two female sharks.
if that wasn’t confounding enough, the two females have not been in contact with any male sharks — only other females — for the last three years.
the aquarium said there are two possible explanations for the birth of yoko — delayed fertilization or parthenogenesis.
delayed fertilization occurs when a female animal becomes pregnant months or even years after mating.
parthenogenesis is a form of asexual reproduction, an extremely rare occurrence, but there are several documented cases in sharks.
the team that manages marine life at the facility will conduct a dna analysis of the shark pup when it is large enough to have blood drawn in a few months, the aquarium said in a news release.
the testing should indicate how the pup came into existence, the statement noted.
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swell sharks, native to the coastal waters of the eastern pacific ocean, are known for their unique ability to swell their bodies with water or air to deter predators.
yoko is being closely monitored as sharks born through parthenogenesis or delayed fertilization can often face complications.
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“this situation is incredible and shows the resilience of this species,” greg barrick, curator of live animals at shreveport aquarium, said in a statement.
“we are very excited in the coming months to confirm whether this was indeed a case of parthenogenesis or if it was delayed fertilization,” he said.
“it really proves that life finds a way.”
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