How does this all-female species reproduce? - Susana Freitas and Darren Parker
432,005 Views
1,330 Questions Answered
TEDEd Animation
Let’s Begin…
In 2021, workers at a Sardinian aquarium were stunned by the birth of a smooth-hound shark. What was shocking was that, for the last decade, the shark’s mother had been living only with other females. So, how was this birth possible? And can other species reproduce this way? Susana Freitas and Darren Parker explore the phenomenon of asexual reproduction known as parthenogenesis.
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Animal reproduction is a fascinating and diverse field of study, encompassing a wide range of reproductive strategies and mechanisms. If you're interested in exploring this diversity further, check out this article from Smithsonian Magazine.
Parthenogenesis occurs in many animal species. For more information on some examples of parthenogenetic species, take a look at this video on Asian water dragons and these articles on zebra sharks and stick insects.
To learn even more about the underlying mechanisms of parthenogenesis and how it differs from sexual reproduction, watch this video.
Finally, if you're interested in delving deeper into the costs and benefits of sexual reproduction versus parthenogenesis, see this article, which also debunks a few myths about the relationship between sex and natural selection.
Parthenogenesis occurs in many animal species. For more information on some examples of parthenogenetic species, take a look at this video on Asian water dragons and these articles on zebra sharks and stick insects.
To learn even more about the underlying mechanisms of parthenogenesis and how it differs from sexual reproduction, watch this video.
Finally, if you're interested in delving deeper into the costs and benefits of sexual reproduction versus parthenogenesis, see this article, which also debunks a few myths about the relationship between sex and natural selection.
About TED-Ed Animations
TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »
Meet The Creators
- Educator Susana Freitas, Darren Parker
- Director Petya Zlateva, Compote Collective
- Narrator Jack Cutmore-Scott
- Storyboard Artist Petya Zlateva
- Animator Petya Zlateva, Nataliya Atanasova
- Art Director Petya Zlateva
- Composer BigBanda SoundScapers
- Sound Designer BigBanda SoundScapers
- Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
- Producer Anna Bechtol
- Associate Producer Abdallah Ewis
- Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
- Editorial Producer Cella Wright
- Script Editor Alex Gendler
