Well, Christians around the world may have been very excited today, as there was a documented and confirmed case of virgin birth.

Unfortunately, it was for a shark.

The Associated Press reported that 16 months ago, a female Blacktip shark in the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center named "Tidbit" gave birth to a shark pup without ever having had contact with a male Blacktip shark. While that shark pup was unfortunately eaten by other sharks in the tank (yeah, I know. The scientists said it was nature, but I was kind of upset), the scientists used remains of the DNA to study. They have now confirmed that there was no male genetic material within the shark pup. 

Scientists are also saying that this may be a sign that this happens all the time in nature, but we just don't know about it. They also warn, though, that we should not hope for more cases like this in order to help the dying shark population: 

The aquarium sharks that reproduced without mates each carried only one pup, while some shark species can produce litters numbering in the dozen or more. The scientists cautioned that the rare asexual births should not be viewed as a possible solution to declining global shark populations.

 

"It is very unlikely that a small number of female survivors could build their numbers up very quickly by undergoing virgin birth," Chapman said. 

Every once in a while, science can still surprise us. I know that my parents aren't the only ones that will be upset that Virgin birth was finally proven-- but only in sharks.

Happy Friday, fellow collegiates!