Parthenogenesis in Komodo dragons

Parthenogenesis, the production of offspring without fertilisation by a male, is rare in vertebrate species that normally reproduce following fusion of gametes supplied by separate sexes. We use genetic fingerprinting to confirm the independent production of parthenogenetic offspring by two captive female Komodo dragons, without access to males, at separate institutions. One of these females went on to produce offspring sexually, thus confirming that female Komodo dragons possess an inherent reproductive plasticity whereby they are capable of switching between asexual and sexual reproduction depending upon the availability of a mate.