1. Parthenogenesis in Komodo Dragons
Grow up to 10 ft long
Can weight up to 300 lbs
Burrow as deep as 30 ft
Can live up to 100 years
Mostly are scavengers
Have cannibalistic tendencies
Have been known to kill humans
Josh Hall

2. What is Parthenogenesis?
Definition- the production of offspring without fertilization by a male
Alternate Definition- the development of an unfertilized egg into a diploid adult

3. Why is this a surprise? Parthenogenesis is unusual in vertebrates
Only reported in 70 Vertebrate Species
0.1%
52 zoological institutions participating in a breeding program worldwide- just now surfaced.

4. Hurray for Parthenogenesis?
Don’t get too excited!
Parthenogenesis decreases genetic diversity
gene pool is shallow enough already
Parthenogenetic offspring are universally male (In Komodos at least)
Leads to further gene reduction

5. Meiotic Formation of Gametesx x

6. Meiotic Formation of Gametesz w
Females – WZ
Males- ZZ

7. Typical Parthenogenetic Formation of Gametesx x x x x x x x x x x x

8. Komodo Parthenogenetic Formation of Gametesz w z w w z w w w z z z

9. References
Watts PC, Buley KR, Sanderson S, Boardman W, Ciofi C, Gibson R Parthenogenesis in Komodo dragons. Nature 444: