How does this all-female species reproduce? - Susana Freitas and Darren Parker
- 358,852 Views
- 672 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.
Create and share a new lesson based on this one.
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.

TED-Ed
Lesson Creator
New York, NY
Create and share a new lesson based on this one.
More from Awesome Nature
9,058,084 Views
231,028 Views
164,985 Views
231,256 Views