Scientists Just Sequenced An 18 Million Year Old Species That Cloned Itself

Researchers have sequenced a tiny, asexual, 18 million-year-old worm species that has survived without sexual reproduction by cloning itself. This could provide insight into how humans could someday create clones that survive for generations.

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Tau.Neutrino said:

Scientists Just Sequenced An 18 Million Year Old Species That Cloned Itself

Researchers have sequenced a tiny, asexual, 18 million-year-old worm species that has survived without sexual reproduction by cloning itself. This could provide insight into how humans could someday create clones that survive for generations.

more…

Interesting.

A common starfish, Coscinasterias calimaria, can reproduce sexually, but can also reproduce by fission: it simply pulls parts of its body apart until it breaks into two or more pieces, which develop into individual starfish. Commercial fishermen, ignorant of the animal’s reproductive biology, would, on pulling them up in their nets, often break them into pieces and throw them back into the water — then complain that they were in plague proportions, particularly in Port Phillip Bay.

btm said:

A common starfish, Coscinasterias calimaria, can reproduce sexually, but can also reproduce by fission: it simply pulls parts of its body apart until it breaks into two or more pieces, which develop into individual starfish. Commercial fishermen, ignorant of the animal’s reproductive biology, would, on pulling them up in their nets, often break them into pieces and throw them back into the water — then complain that they were in plague proportions, particularly in Port Phillip Bay.

Heh.

btm said:

A common starfish, Coscinasterias calimaria, can reproduce sexually, but can also reproduce by fission: it simply pulls parts of its body apart until it breaks into two or more pieces, which develop into individual starfish. Commercial fishermen, ignorant of the animal’s reproductive biology, would, on pulling them up in their nets, often break them into pieces and throw them back into the water — then complain that they were in plague proportions, particularly in Port Phillip Bay.

There are many plants and animals that can reproduce asexually, but they usually have a backup that permits them to also reproduce sexually, although that being a lesser form of reproduction.

Sexual reproduction is very over-rated?

There are many other ways to reproduce.

mollwollfumble said:

Sexual reproduction is very over-rated?

There are many other ways to reproduce.

Oh ah ee oo there’s absolutely no strife Living the timeless life I don’t need a wife Living the timeless life If I need a friend I just give a wriggle Split right down the middle And when I look there’s two of me Both as handsome as can be Oh here we go slithering, here we go slithering and squelching on Oh here we go slithering, here we go slithering and squelching on Oh ah ee oo there’s absolutely no strife Living the timeless life