First crocodile to impregnate self found

A crocodile which impregnated self has been found in Costa Rica Zoo. The phenomenon which is called parthenogenesis is a form of asexual reproduction that is often tagged ‘virgin birth’. Parthenogenesis had earlier been reported in some avian species, fish, and even reptiles.

According to a report by BBC, this is the first time a crocodile has reproduced self. The crocodile which laid the egg had been in captivity since it was 2 years old, being separated from other crocodiles. Meaning that the possibility of mating was completely eroded since there was no male for mating for over 16 years. The egg was laid about 16 years after it was separated from other crocodile.

The fully formed foetus was stillborn, but scientific analysis of the foetus by experts found that it was more than 99.9% genetically identical to its mother.

Parthenogenesis differs from hermaphroditism. In parthenogenesis an unfertilized egg forms a new individual without the need for spermatozoa. It has been reported in over 70 species of vertebrates and several invertebrates. In hermaphroditism, an individual animal has both male and female gametes. Example of hermaphroditic animals are snail, banana slugs, earthworm and so on.