Research
done by a Wofford professor and his colleagues has determined that wild
snakes are capable of reproducing without mating.
The
results of research done by Dr. Charles F. Smith and colleagues from
the University of Tulsa, San Diego State University and Georgia State
University was published last week.
The
researchers collected genetic samples from two types of wild snakes and
determined by DNA testing that in some cases, litters from each species
were solely the product of the mother, with no genetic contributions
from a father.
Smith
said, "We documented this for the first time in the wild in two species
of closely related pit viper snakes, the cottonmouth and the
copperhead. This is important research because it fundamentally changes
how we think about animal reproduction in nature. We now know animals
have options beyond sexual reproduction, and this gives us a better
understanding of how reproduction occurs in the wild.
"In
the future, the researchers will investigate how well the offspring of
virgin births survive and reproduce. It may be that virgin mothers can
establish whole area populations of snakes by themselves.
"The
next question is, are the offspring fertile? If they are, it will
certainly change completely and forever the way we think about
reproduction of animals in the wild."
Smith said student research in
an animal behavior course at Wofford, taught by associate professor of
biology Dr. John F. Moeller, was instrumental in supporting the
discovery.
"This
is cutting-edge research normally equated with large research
institutions, yet a liberal arts college like Wofford can make major
contributions to science and provide exceptional research experiences
for our students," Smith said. "Since the fall of 2011, students have
been following the progress of the study and helping us."
