Parthenogenesis in California Condor

Julio C Castro said:
Scientists at SDZWA made a discovery of two California Condor chicks hatching from unfertilized eggs!

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Conservation Scientists Report...
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Very interesting indeed! I was surprised to read that both chicks hatched over a decade ago and they're only just now confirming the parthogenesis. Both chicks have since died as well, so is that indicating their genetic structure was not sufficient in some way for long term survival? One died at age 2 and the other at 8. I'd be interested to see further information on this.
 
Great Argus said:
Very interesting indeed! I was surprised to read that both chicks hatched over a decade ago and they're only just now confirming the parthogenesis. Both chicks have since died as well, so is that indicating their genetic structure was not sufficient in some way for long term survival? One died at age 2 and the other at 8. I'd be interested to see further information on this.
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It is a very bittersweet moment truly, a miracle for lack of a better word in regards to parthogenesis but sad that they didn’t live much longer :( That would be my guess, perhaps the lack of two parents providing their total genetic makeup could’ve caused early deaths or just deterioration in general but who knows for most of us :oops:
 
It would be interesting to establish paternity of the wild California Condors brought to zoos in the 20. century.

Zoo genetics has a major flaw: they assume that wild founder animals are unrelated. However, it is unlikely - wild founders are not taken randomly from the whole range of the species. Often, many come from the same place, or through the same trader, or several from one social group are caught together, and are likely to be related in the wild.

In the case of California Condors, last 22 (?) wild condors survived in one small area of California. Probably at least some were related to each other in the wild.

The same is true for e.g. last Whooping Cranes from one reserve, or the last wild American Bison which were caught in several groups. In the past, conservationists were forced to assume things, now they can check it.
 
Great Argus said:
Very interesting indeed! I was surprised to read that both chicks hatched over a decade ago and they're only just now confirming the parthogenesis. Both chicks have since died as well, so is that indicating their genetic structure was not sufficient in some way for long term survival? One died at age 2 and the other at 8. I'd be interested to see further information on this.
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The paper itself: Facultative Parthenogenesis in California Condors

Regarding your above post:
Both parthenote California condors are now deceased. SB260 was released into the wild at 559 days of age and died at 718 days (1.96 years) of age, prior to sexual maturity. Death was attributed to poor body condition due to poor integration with the wild birds and insufficient food consumption. SB517 was never released into the wild and died at 2915 days (7.98 years) of age. He was a small bird; as an adult, his weight varied from 6.1 to 6.8 kg, whereas the average weight for adult condors is considered to be 8–10 kg (Walker K, personal communication). He shared an enclosure with a female, but was considered submissive with limited or no courtship behavior. For this bird, death was attributed to systemic complications following injury to a foot and digit amputation. The bird also had scoliosis, which had been noted prior to death, and probably explained an abnormal gait when walking. Other studies of parthenogenetic reproduction in snakes have also noted deformities in parthenogens (Booth and Schuett 2016; Card et al. 2021). Neither of these birds had reproduced, and none of the post-mortem findings could conclusively be considered to be indicators of lack of fitness. Therefore, unless additional cases are identified, determination of reproductive capability of California condor partenotes will be precluded.

Jurek7 said:
In the case of California Condors, last 22 (?) wild condors survived in one small area of California. Probably at least some were related to each other in the wild.
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There is a complete studbook for the California Condor, and genetics-based estimations of relatedness of the founder animals. It is mentioned in the paper above and references are given if you want to look further.
 
Perhaps theres more to the reptile link than we know at this time since some reptiles are known to do this
 
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Zorro said:
Perhaps theres more to the reptile link than we know at this time since some reptiles are known to do this
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Good point! Whenever I hear about asexual reproduction in a zoo animal, my mind jumps to Komodo dragons.

There’s been cases of sharks giving birth, sometimes years after they last had contact with a male. I understand they can reproduce asexually, but also through storing sperm (for years). Apparently birds can also store sperm: Long-Term Sperm: Shark Gives Birth 4 Years after Contact with Male
 
Zoofan15 said:
Good point! Whenever I hear about asexual reproduction in a zoo animal, my mind jumps to Komodo dragons.

There’s been cases of sharks giving birth, sometimes years after they last had contact with a male. I understand they can reproduce asexually, but also through storing sperm (for years). Apparently birds can also store sperm: Long-Term Sperm: Shark Gives Birth 4 Years after Contact with Male
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Correct, I believe there are a few other species as well
 
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