Christ returns as a shark (Shark has virgin Birth)

The Guid · Post by **The Guid** » 2007-05-23 11:47am

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6681793.stm

Captive shark had 'virgin birth'

The bonnethead is a species in the hammerhead group
Female hammerhead sharks can reproduce without having sex, scientists confirm.
The evidence comes from a shark at Henry Doorly Zoo in Nebraska which gave birth to a pup in 2001 despite having had no contact with a male.

Genetic tests by a team from Belfast, Nebraska and Florida prove conclusively the young animal possessed no paternal DNA, Biology Letters journal reports.

The type of reproduction exhibited had been seen before in bony fish but never in cartilaginous fish such as sharks.

Parthenogenesis, as this type of reproduction is known, occurs when an egg cell is triggered to develop as an embryo without the addition of any genetic material from a male sperm cell.

See how parthenogenesis takes place
The puzzle over the hammerhead birth was reported widely in 2001, but it is only with the emergence of new DNA profiling techniques that scientists have now been able to show irrefutably what happened.

The investigation of the birth was conducted by the research team from Queen's University Belfast, Nova Southeastern University in Florida, and Henry Doorly Zoo itself.

The scientists say the discovery raises important issues about shark conservation.

In the wild, these animals have come under extreme pressure through overfishing and many species have experienced sharp declines.

If dwindling shark groups resort to parthenogenesis to reproduce because females have difficulty finding mates, this is likely to weaken populations still further, the researchers warn.

The reason is that asexual reproduction reduces genetic diversity and this makes it harder for organisms to adapt - to changed environmental conditions or the emergence of a new disease, for example.

With normal sex, the mixing of maternal and paternal DNA introduces genetic novelty which can give animals new traits that might be advantageous in their new circumstances.

Sex marks

Dr Paulo Prodohl, a co-author on the Biology Letters paper from Queen's School of Biological Sciences, said: "Vertebrates in general have evolved away from parthenogenesis to boost genetic diversity and enhance evolutionary potential.

"The concern for sharks is that not only could we be reducing their numbers but we could be making them less fit as well."

"Our findings will now have to be taken into consideration for any conservation management strategy, especially for overexploited species."

The birth of the hammerhead (of the bonnethead species, Sphyrna tiburo) at Henry Doorly was as tragic as it was puzzling.

The new pup was soon killed by a stingray before keepers could remove it from its tank.

At the time, some theorised that a male tiger shark kept at the zoo could have been the father - but the institution's three bonnethead females had none of the bite marks that are usually inflicted on their gender during shark sex.

Some even suggested that one of the females could have had sex in the wild and stored the sperm in her body - but the three-year period in captivity made this explanation highly unlikely.

The new tests on the dead pup's tissues now show the newborn's DNA only matched up with one of the females - and there was none of any male origin.

Although extremely rare in vertebrates, parthenogenesis (out of the Greek for "virgin birth") occurs in a number of lower animals. Insects such as bees and ants use it to produce their drones, for example.

wolveraptor · Post by **wolveraptor** » 2007-05-23 02:03pm

I would convert to Christianity if Jesus was a shark. Man, that would be so badass. He'd be all, "Die sinners!" and then he'd eat them. The Bible'd be a lot shorter too, because he'd just kill and eat everyone who pissed him off.

Post by **Coyote** » 2007-05-23 02:19pm

Imagine communion:

"This is my blood, which, when a single drop is put in the sea, attracts an assload of my disciples. You want the 'Miracle of loaves and fishes?' My fishies of today totally own this conjuration. Now watch me turn all this into wine."

Darth Tanner · Post by **Darth Tanner** » 2007-05-23 02:20pm

Other than the fact that the hammerhead shark is likely to go extinct because of the lack of genetic diversity that will result from this its pretty cool, although a worrying development for the future of us males.

Worship the Virgin Jaws

I'm not clear however if this is a feature of a single genetic anomaly or of the species as a whole.

Soontir C'boath · Post by **Soontir C'boath** » 2007-05-23 02:31pm

If they can't even find males, they're doomed either way. Though I do see reproducing asexually will keep at least a female population for the low quantity males to mate with in case the mothers die off.

TheKwas · Post by **TheKwas** » 2007-05-23 02:57pm

Darth Tanner wrote:Other than the fact that the hammerhead shark is likely to go extinct because of the lack of genetic diversity that will result from this its pretty cool, although a worrying development for the future of us males.

Unlikely. This asexual reproduction is likely not anything new for the species, so they probablely had the ability for quite a while now and are still doing fine. This asexual reproduction, also, doesn't mean that sexual production is out of the question, it just means that in times of mating need, the females can extend their genetic lineage longer and thus actually benefit the species as a whole.

I'm not clear however if this is a feature of a single genetic anomaly or of the species as a whole.

Considering the benefits of the feature from an evolutionary perceptive, and my belief that it's actual a devolutionary effect (sharks likely evolved from sexually reproducing ancestors), I can only imagine that the feature is widespread in the shark population, if not universal.

Post by **LadyTevar** » 2007-05-23 03:28pm

As big as the ocean is, I can understand parthogenesis as a survival feature, when there may not be males available for hundreds of miles.

Post by **Kuja** » 2007-05-23 03:43pm

LadyTevar wrote:As big as the ocean is, I can understand parthogenesis as a survival feature, when there may not be males available for hundreds of miles.

Shark Christianity will embrace lesbianism.

I think that's about as many sacred cows as I've ever murdered in one sentence.

wolveraptor · Post by **wolveraptor** » 2007-05-23 03:53pm

At the time, some theorised that a male tiger shark kept at the zoo could have been the father - but the institution's three bonnethead females had none of the bite marks that are usually inflicted on their gender during shark sex.

Looks like Shark Christianity would embrace kinky sex, too.

Darth Mortis · Post by **Darth Mortis** » 2007-05-23 04:05pm

I, for one, welcome our new aquatic overlord.

The Duchess of Zeon · Post by **The Duchess of Zeon** » 2007-05-23 04:36pm

I think I need to point out here that Shark Jesus was a girl.

The Vortex Empire · Post by **The Vortex Empire** » 2007-05-23 04:36pm

Parthogenesis definitely makes sense as a survival technique in the ocean, where there may not be another member of your species around for miles. If there were no males in the enclosure, it makes sense that the shark would use it to continue it's line.

Darth Mortis wrote:I, for one, welcome our new aquatic overlord.

Congratulations, you just contributed nothing to the discussion. Here's your spam award.

Cao Cao · Post by **Cao Cao** » 2007-05-23 04:57pm

The Duchess of Zeon wrote:I think I need to point out here that Shark Jesus was a girl.

Obviously the Messiah of the inevitable Lesbian Super Empire that will result from this would be. Duh!

Ritterin Sophia · Post by **Ritterin Sophia** » 2007-05-23 04:59pm

So first we had Jesus, then we have a nest full of Lizard Jesus', and now a Shark Jesus? This can only be the work of 'Awesome' and 'Win'.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2007-05-23 05:07pm

I remember when only copepods were doing this. Now every bloody species wants to have a go. This isn't good for genetic diversity either way. The sharks either get fished or polluted to death, or run head first into a genetic bottleneck.

Big Orange · Post by **Big Orange** » 2007-05-23 05:31pm

Sharks seem to be rather thoroughbred anyway and far too biologically specialized - thoroughbred and and over specialized species have a nasty habit of going bye bye out in the wild...

Napoleon the Clown · Post by **Napoleon the Clown** » 2007-05-23 06:45pm

Darth Mortis wrote:I, for one, welcome our new aquatic overlord.

Epic fail.

This is fairly interesting. Obviously, if this were the only means of reproduction available, it would be ultimately pernicious to the survival of the species. But as a secondary means of reproduction, where it won't be an actual replacement for sexual reproduction, it can be advantageous. One thing to keep in mind is that it only serves to protect female genetic material. A male that can't find a mate is SOL either way.

TheKwas · Post by **TheKwas** » 2007-05-23 07:16pm

Keep in mind this general rule when considering evolutionary features: If they evolved it, it is likely to be beneficial. 'Bad' qualities in animals tend to only show up when they are relics of past speices.

Ritterin Sophia · Post by **Ritterin Sophia** » 2007-05-23 07:21pm

Napoleon the Clown wrote:

WH40k Emote's are my schtick, son.

Although, Ein can have have this one.

Lisa · Post by **Lisa** » 2007-05-23 09:19pm

This has been observed in snakes as well, of course all birthed/hatchlings were female.

Post by **Kuja** » 2007-05-23 09:27pm

Admiral Valdemar wrote:I remember when only copepods were doing this. Now every bloody species wants to have a go.

You realize, of course, that there is only one way this can end.

*shark-Jesus faces down rhino-jesus*

"THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!"

NeoGoomba · Post by **NeoGoomba** » 2007-05-23 09:57pm

Kuja wrote:
Admiral Valdemar wrote:I remember when only copepods were doing this. Now every bloody species wants to have a go.
You realize, of course, that there is only one way this can end.

*shark-Jesus faces down rhino-jesus*

"THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!"

Only if they fight in 12 feet of snow. Its neutral ground for our saviors to duke it out in.

SylasGaunt · Post by **SylasGaunt** » 2007-05-24 05:34am

But.. but.. cloning is UNNATURAL!

Still this is pretty damn cool and I must make a note to convert to Shark Christianity sometime soon...the question is do we get to keep the loaves at least? I understand the messiah will definitely want the fish but then with some of the stuff you find in shark stomachs she might want the bread to which seems kinda grabby..

wolveraptor · Post by **wolveraptor** » 2007-05-24 09:23am

Big Orange wrote:Sharks seem to be rather thoroughbred anyway and far too biologically specialized - thoroughbred and and over specialized species have a nasty habit of going bye bye out in the wild...

Are you shitting me? Do you have any idea how long sharks have existed without any major design alteration? They aren't specialized for a single type of prey (at least many aren't): they're simply highly adapted for a life spent constantly in motion (they can't pump water through their gills, which is why they must swim to breath).