Parthenogenesis: Gargoyle Geckos

jmhherpetology · #1 11-25-2010, 10:30 PM

I obtained a female Garg from a reputable source about 8 months ago. At the time she was not quite 1 year old. I was assured she had never been with a male. Long story short, she laid an egg and I candled it and it looked fertile. Didn't think much, just threw it in with some crested eggs...well...it hatched. Originally I thougt the breeder had been mistaken but after further review I have been once again assured that this female was never kept with a male. Not trying to start anything monumental as I know it is impossible to prove what really is going on here...just curious if anyone has heard of parthenogenesis in the gargs before. I know there are some cases floating around dealing with leachies.

Fai0607 · #2 11-26-2010, 12:57 AM

Improbable. Same with my female garg, no male. I candled the egg and nothing. Just tossed the infertile egg. It had no "magic cherrio" and it was yellow. Either your garg was in fact gravid, or your garg is some Mother Mary lol.

The only parthenogenesis I've heard in geckos were Mourning Geckos. I'm sure there is more, but I never heard of a garg being part of it. Maybe she was in a cage where a male was? At this point, im grasping for straws.

Lordoftheswarms · #3 11-26-2010, 02:06 AM

If I were you, I'd contact the Steinhart Aquarium.
They had some of the earliest Rhacodactylus. They would probably be interested in doing genetic testing to prove the parthenogenesis, and then would publish that.

Steinhart Aquarium: California Academy of Sciences

Debbie · #4 11-26-2010, 10:21 AM

Parthenogenesis also occurs in leachianus, so why not Gargs. Congrats!

jmhherpetology · #5 11-26-2010, 11:19 AM

Yeah, I've read a lot about parthenogenesis in the leachies but couldn't find anything on gargs. There's really no way to be sure and its not like someone is giving out trophies but it would be interesting to know.

Palor · #6 11-26-2010, 12:40 PM

Well the only way you can be sure is if she lays more clutches that hatch long after the usual sperm storage period.

Fai0607 many geckos and lizards use parthenogenesis to reproduce besides Mourning Geckos.

jmhherpetology · #7 11-26-2010, 12:42 PM

Does anybody know what the usual period is for sperm storage?

Palor · #8 11-26-2010, 12:44 PM

I have read anywhere from 6 months to up to a year.

Justin · #9 11-26-2010, 01:15 PM

Was the parthenogenesis in leachies proven?

Fai0607 · #10 11-26-2010, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Fai0607 many geckos and lizards use parthenogenesis to reproduce besides Mourning Geckos.

Yeah I knew there were more out there, but i'd never figured gargs would be parthenogenesis. Like some breeders told me.. there IS still lots of things to know about Rhacs so maybe if theres more cases they can be parthenogenesis?