Paternity Test – The Mysterious Shark Pup Birth
There was no need for a paternity test in the bizarre case of the virgin birth of a shark pup.
You would have thought that virgin births were impossible. The laws of nature simply do not account for them. But a bonnethead shark, it was recently discovered, is capable of ‘virgin births’. When a zoo discovered that a baby shark mysteriously appeared in a tank of all female species, the riddle began. How could they do a paternity test with no males in the vicinity?
No need for paternity test
In 2001, the zoo and scientists were flabbergasted at the birth. Producing offspring normally requires genetic material from a sperm and egg in sharks. Determining who the father of the offspring is takes a simple DNA paternity test. But without a male shark to test, scientists began to investigate the prospect that this was in fact a virgin birth.
Mystery solved
Genetic tests on the shark were finally published this year confirming there was no need for a paternity test, because it was in fact a virgin birth. The baby shark developed without being first fertilised by shark sperm. Although virgin births are rare, they do happen – although not in humans. This is the first time a paternity test hasn’t been needed however on this breed of fish. Humans have never before witnessed cartilaginous fish (sharks) have a virgin birth; scientists believed placental animals such as sharks needed genes from both the male and female of the species. But the tests were conclusive and confirmed the virgin birth.
Paternity test – No male genes
The zoo in Nebraska, America excited scientists as the tank where the virgin pup was born housed three female bonnetheads who had been separated from the male bonnethead species for over three years. A paternity test would reveal if the shark had retained sperm after mating years ago in the wild or even if the off-spring was the result of cross-breeding with other species. But the DNA paternity test revealed the pup was genetically identical to the females.
International Biosciences offer a broad range of paternity test services designed to provide indisputable answers to emotional questions. Whether you seek to establish paternity, prove siblingship or research genealogy, for legal definition or peace of mind, we are able to provide the appropriate paternity test at competitive rates, professionally and confidentially. Using state of the art technology we are able to provide conclusive evidence on time, every time. Contact International Biosciences on 01342 850945 or click here to email us.
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