Scientists: Virginia shark's pup a 'virgin birth'

October 10, 2008

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A blacktip shark, Carcharhinus limbatus, is shown in this March 2008 file photo in the Indian Ocean off Aliwal Shoal, South Africa. Scientists have confirmed the second case of a "virgin birth" in a shark. In a report in The Journal of Fish Biology, scientists said DNA testing proved that a pup carried by a female Atlantic blacktip shark in the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center contained no genetic material from a male. (AP Photo/Institute for Ocean Conservation Science/Matthew D. Potenski)

(AP) -- Scientists have confirmed the second case of a "virgin birth" in a shark. In a study reported Friday in the Journal of Fish Biology, scientists said DNA testing proved that a pup carried by a female Atlantic blacktip shark in the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center contained no genetic material from a male.

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• googleplex - Oct 10, 2008
  • Rank: 3 / 5 (3)
  Anyone else remember Jeff Goldblum saying this in Jerrasic Park about dinosaurs. Never underestimate the adaptability of living things. Cool that he turned out to be correct, afterall sharks are a living dinosaur.
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• deatopmg - Oct 10, 2008
  • Rank: 2.8 / 5 (6)
  neat! - humans (well, one) can do it, snakes too, now sharks. Will wonders never cease!
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• itistoday - Oct 10, 2008
  • Rank: 3.2 / 5 (5)

  neat! - humans (well, one) can do it

  
  
  Hehe, that's cute...
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• thales - Oct 10, 2008
  • Rank: 3.7 / 5 (3)
  I wonder if these "scientists" even considered that the baby shark could have been the Son of God, come to save the blacktips.
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• bmcghie - Oct 11, 2008
  • Rank: 5 / 5 (2)
  ^ Maybe, except it would have to be the daughter of god. Sharks use an XY chromosome system to determine sex, same as humans.
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• thales - Oct 13, 2008
  • Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
  bmcghie, don't try to limit God. ;)
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