A Louisiana aquarium welcomed a baby shark born under mysterious circumstances, the aquarium said Friday.
The swell shark, nicknamed Yoko, died on January 3, according to Shreveport AquariumWhat makes the birth mysterious is that the tank is home to two female sharks who have not been in contact with a male in three years.
“This situation is incredible and shows the resiliency of this species,” Greg Barrick, curator of live animals at the Shreveport Aquarium, said in a news release.
According to the aquarium, the egg was first observed eight months ago, but it may have remained undetected in the tank for a month or two. The aquarium will work to determine whether the baby shark was born through parthenogenesis, also known as asexual reproduction, or through delayed fertilization. A DNA analysis once the puppy is old enough for a blood draw will provide answers, but this will likely take months.
“We are very excited to confirm in the coming months whether this was indeed a case of parthenogenesis or if it was delayed fertilization,” Barrick said. “It really proves that life… uh… finds a way,” he said, referencing 1993's “Jurassic Park,” in which Jeff Goldblum says the same thing, while discussing That's how a group of all female dinosaurs can reproduce.
Shreveport Aquarium
While Yoko the shark, currently being monitored from the exhibit, is “thriving,” the aquarium warned that sharks born through rare breeding events could face significant challenges.
“While Yoko's time with us may have been brief, she will still leave an unforgettable legacy, contributing invaluable insights into the study of shark reproduction and conservation efforts,” the aquarium said in a news release.
According to the aquarium, swell sharks are native to the coastal waters of the eastern Pacific. They are known for their ability to swell their bodies with water or wind as a way to deter predators. While most species of sharks give birth to young, some species – such as the swell shark – are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs.
can occur in parthenogenesis sharklizard and snakeThis can also happen in some species birds,