A group of scientists from San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, in California (United States), found a discovery about the condor chicks which they consider as “extraordinary”.
The find, which was also collected by the ‘Journal of Heredity‘, supposes the first case of parthenogenesis both in condors and in any species of birds, after it was identified the kinship of two young condors with their mothers, without the need for a male for the reproduction of this species, through the use of molecular genetic tests.
Parthenogenesis, form of asexual reproduction
Parthenogenesis is a form of asexual reproduction that is produced by “the development of an embryo that is not fertilized by sperm“and that for reproduction it only requires the genetic code of the female.
According to the study published by the scientists, It is a rare form of reproduction in birds, and it is observed in females that do not have access to males.. Experts at the San Diego Zoo reported that these two baby condors were produced by two different females, with each being housed with a fertile male.
An event that occurred despite at the end of the 80s, this avian species was in danger of extinction until a plan elaborated by the zoos of San Diego Los Angeles allowed the salvation of the species and its later reproduction, according to reports’National Geographic‘.
Asexual reproduction in turkeys and chickens
However, condors are not the only species that has developed through this type of reproduction. Some studies carried out between 1965 and 1968 they reveal that this practice occurred with turkeys, Meanwhile in 1924 and 2008 too some cases occurred in chickens that they did not need a male for the development of new offspring.
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