Stingray’s spectacular virgin birth creates scientific shock

A RARE scientific phenomenon at an Australian aquarium has left staff stumped. Here’s why.

IN A shocking scientific discovery, a female eagle ray has given birth without having male contact for nine years.

We repeat, NINE years. That’s not a typo.

Sea Life Sydney Aquarium staff have been shocked by the birth of Ani in a rare cloning process called parthenogenesis.

Ani is of course short for Anakin, better known as Darth Vader, because he also had no father.

Freckle, an 11-year-old eagle ray, proved she doesn’t need a man when she gave birth last month in a tank with six other female ocellated eagle rays, two leopard sharks, a white-spotted

guitarfish (also a ray) and many colourful and varied ‘bony’ fish.

She has had no contact with a male since early 2009.

Staff say Ani is in good health, swimming, eating and demonstrating the habits of a happy and healthy baby eagle ray that loves eating mussels and pilchards.

Little Ani has amazed and excited Aquarium staff. Picture: Sea Life Sydney Aquarium

Ani is having a great time eating mussels and pilchards. Picture: Sea Life Sydney Aquarium

Adam Stow, an Associate Professor at Macquarie University who specialises in genetics and marine conservation, said parthenogenesis was a very rare reproductive strategy where an embryo developed without fertilisation.

“It is a rare occurrence among vertebrates such as eagle rays so this is a very special arrival for Sea Life Sydney Aquarium,” he said.

Sea Life Sydney Aquarium became confident that Freckle was pregnant following behavioural

changes — her breathing became quicker and she was swimming faster, her appetite increased and she became more reluctant to engage in regular training sessions — a sign that she was protecting something.

Libby Eyre, senior aquarist and ray trainer, said they noticed in early June Freckle’s belly was noticeably larger.

“We initially dismissed pregnancy as there are no male eagle rays in the tank,” she said.

“As time went on we knew Freckle was indeed a mum-to-be.

“On June 26, I came in and checked the Dugong Island tank where Freckle lives and when she swam over the tunnel, I noticed there was no belly. I quickly found the bub and there were screams of excitement from the staff — everyone was amazed at the process of having produced a little ray with no males in the tank.

“This experience has helped expand our already extensive knowledge of this species and will assist us in their ongoing husbandry.”

Ani is not currently on display at Sea Life but the team will closely monitor her progress with a view to welcome the miracle baby to one of three oceanariums.

Animal lovers can follow Ani’s journey on Sea Life Sydney Aquarium’s Facebook and Instagram page.