Ackie sex determination?

[Alisa-D]

Sort of off topic but has any research been done to see if other monitors are parthenogenic(sp) like the komodo dragons.. If you had a large group of females would they produce fertile eggs without a male present

[murrindindi]

Originally Posted by Alisa-D

Sort of off topic but has any research been done to see if other monitors are parthenogenic(sp) like the komodo dragons.. If you had a large group of females would they produce fertile eggs without a male present

Hi, so far V. komodoensis, V. panoptes and V. ornatus have been found to be parthenogenetic, it is reasonable to assume other species are, too.
I don`t quite understand what you`re saying about having a large group of females?

[Pirarucu]

Originally Posted by Alisa-D

Sort of off topic but has any research been done to see if other monitors are parthenogenic(sp) like the komodo dragons.. If you had a large group of females would they produce fertile eggs without a male present

As said, several species are known to be parthenogenic and it is likely that others are as well. But why would one want to have a large group of females to produce eggs? Given the infrequency of parthenogenic reproduction and the low numbers of viable eggs actually produced, you would produce a lot more babies with just one or two male-female pairs.

[Alisa-D]

Originally Posted by murrindindi

Hi, so far V. komodoensis, V. panoptes and V. ornatus have been found to be parthenogenetic, it is reasonable to assume other species are, too.
I don`t quite understand what you`re saying about having a large group of females?

Originally Posted by Pirarucu

As said, several species are known to be parthenogenic and it is likely that others are as well. But why would one want to have a large group of females to produce eggs? Given the infrequency of parthenogenic reproduction and the low numbers of viable eggs actually produced, you would produce a lot more babies with just one or two male-female pairs.

Thanks for answering.

I ment more in the wild than in captivity, if for some reason there was no males in an area but didn't word it very well

[smy_749]

Originally Posted by Alisa-D

Thanks for answering.

I ment more in the wild than in captivity, if for some reason there was no males in an area but didn't word it very well

This would never be the case, its probably statistically impossible for that to happen.

[Pirarucu]

Originally Posted by smy_749

This would never be the case, its probably statistically impossible for that to happen.

Not necessarily, when you consider that varanids island-hopped their way throughout Southeast Asia. If a monitor was one of the first few to arrive, parthenogenesis would be a very valuable tool. Although not monitors, Mourning Geckos have this technique mastered...

[smy_749]

Originally Posted by Pirarucu

Not necessarily, when you consider that varanids island-hopped their way throughout Southeast Asia. If a monitor was one of the first few to arrive, parthenogenesis would be a very valuable tool. Although not monitors, Mourning Geckos have this technique mastered...

Good point, I was thinking of aussie species though, not many chances to island hop haha.

Maybe thats why komodos and salvators developed that skill?

[murrindindi]

Originally Posted by smy_749

Good point, I was thinking of aussie species though, not many chances to island hop haha.

Maybe thats why komodos and salvators developed that skill?

Hi, V. komodoensis is originally an Aussie species.