An article in a recent issue of Nature reports on two (female) Komodo dragons (in two separate British zoos) who have reproduced via parthenogenesis, i.e., without males. No mammals are known to reproduce in this way, and only a few vertebrate species can. These momma Komodos are definitely the largest animals to do so. It is speculated that this would allow a single female Komodo to colonize a new area, e.g., an island. However, since parthenogenesis in komodos only produces males, she’d eventually have to mate with one of her sons to perpetuate the colony. Researchers used genetic testing on the offspring to confirm only one parent. One of the mommas was subsequently introduced to a male Dragon, and she produced a clutch of eggs in the usual way.
A free summary is available at sciencenews.org.
