Recently it was discovered that female Komodo dragons can reproduce without ever having contact with a male. Whilst in our own back gardens female aphids can clone themselves to produce thousands upon thousands of copies. How and why do these two very different creatures reproduce by virgin birth?
Recently it was discovered that female Komodo dragons can reproduce without ever having contact with a male. Whilst in our own back gardens female aphids can clone themselves to produce thousands upon thousands of copies. How and why do these two very different creatures reproduce by virgin birth?
General Note
Encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on December 20, 2014.
Learn360 is distributed by Infobase for Films for the Humanities & Sciences, Cambridge Educational, Meridian Education, and Shopware.
Content Note
Discovery of Komodo Dragon Parthenogenesis(2:11) -- 1926 Newsreel of Komodo Dragons (1:42) -- Komodo Genetics (1:50) -- Evolutionary Preference for Sexual Reproduction (1:57) -- Parthenogenesis (1:36) -- Aphid Cloning (2:48) -- Aphid Life Cycles (2:53) -- Giant Leaf and Stick Insects (1:42) -- Aphids and Ants (2:00) -- Amazing Life Cycle of Aphids (2:08) -- Credits: Virgin Birth: Attenborough's Natural Curiosities, Series 2 (0:42).
