Stegostoma Tigrinum

Zebra shark (Stegostoma tigrinum) photographed by me in 2009 on the floor of Maldivian coral reef sea in all its spotted elegance .

Beyond its striking appearance, this species is known for a rare reproductive ability: parthenogenesis — a form of asexual reproduction where females can produce offspring without male fertilization.
Documented in both wild and captive individuals, it highlights the extraordinary adaptability of elasmobranchs.

How it is possible?

In zebra sharks, a rare switch happens: instead of needing a male’s sperm to fertilize an egg, the egg fuses with another cell from the mother, creating a sort of genetic clone (though not always exact).
A reminder that the ocean still holds many biological marvels.

© Robert Pavšič Fotopogledi all rights reserved.