A boa constrictor in the U.K. gave birth to 14 babies — without a mate.
Is it a miracle? The result of a secret rendezvous? Probably not. Females of species have the ability to reproduce asexually, without sperm from a male. The process is called parthenogenesis, from the Greek words for “virgin” and “birth.”
Some plants and insects can do it, as well as some amphibians, reptiles, birds and fish. A stingray named Charlotte that was thought to have become pregnant by this method died this week at an aquarium in North Carolina, though she never delivered and it is unclear if she was ever pregnant.
Some wasps, crustaceans and lizards reproduce only through parthenogenesis. But in other species it’s rare and usually observed in captivity.
It tends to occur in situations where females are separated from males, said Demian Chapman, who directs the Sharks & Rays Conservation Research Program at the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida.
The boa in the U.K., a 6-foot, 13-year-old Brazilian Rainbow Boa named Ronaldo, gave birth last week after having no contact with any other snakes for at least nine years, according to the City of Portsmouth College, which kept the snake.
One way parthenogenesis can occur is when a female’s egg fuses with another cell, often a cell leftover from a process that allows the female to create the egg. That cell, known as a polar body, gives the egg the genetic information it would normally get from sperm. The cell starts dividing and that leads to the creation of an embryo.
It’s unclear how prevalent parthenogenesis is in the wild, Chapman said. But it has happened outside captivity among smalltooth sawfish, an endangered species in Florida’s coastal waters.
“We think the females reproduce like that on some occasions because they haven’t found a male because there are so few of them,” Chapman said.
Offspring from parthenogenesis have less genetic variation, Chapman said, which can lead to developmental problems.
“A litter produced by sexual reproduction is usually much larger than one produced via parthenogenesis if it’s an animal that gives birth to litters,” Chapman said. “And you will often see individuals in that litter produced by parthenogenesis that don’t develop correctly in some way.”
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
FILE - This 2015 photo provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation shows a female yellow-bellied water snake at the Cape Girardeau, Mo., Conservation Nature Center that for the second time in two years has given birth without any help from a male member of the species, conservationists say. (Candice Davis/Missouri Department of Conservation via AP, File)
FILE - Flora the Komodo dragon walks around her enclosure at Chester Zoo in Chester, England, Monday Dec. 18, 2006. Flora's virginal conception, and that of another Komodo dragon earlier in the year at the London Zoo, are the first time it had been documented in Komodo dragons. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson, File)
The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired All-Star first baseman Josh Naylor on Saturday in a trade that sent right-hander Slade Cecconi to the Cleveland Guardians.
The Guardians, who have remodeled the right side of their infield this winter, also received a competitive balance Round B draft pick in 2025.
Cleveland moved quickly to fill the hole left by Naylor, agreeing with veteran free agent first baseman Carlos Santana on a one-year, $12 million contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.
The Naylor trade is the second significant move in weeks by the AL Central champions, who dealt Gold Glove second baseman Andrés Giménez to Toronto in a three-team swap. The Guardians also acquired right-hander Luis Ortiz from the Pirates.
The 27-year-old Naylor made his first All-Star team this season and hit a career-high 31 homers with 108 RBIs. He's been Cleveland's starting first baseman in each of the past three seasons and will become a free agent after the 2025 season.
The Diamondbacks were in the market for a first baseman after Christian Walker signed with the Houston Astros on Friday. Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said Naylor's presence in the middle of the batting order should fit well with Eugenio Suarez, Ketel Marte and Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
The 25-year-old Cecconi has spent parts of the past two seasons in the big leagues. He had a 2-7 record with a 6.66 ERA last season, pitching in 20 games, including 13 starts.
Santana spent 10 seasons with Cleveland early his career over two stretches, starting out as a catcher before moving to first. The switch-hitter’s deal is pending a physical, said a person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal wasn't finalized.
Santana was one of the club’s most popular players from 2010-17 before signing as a free agent with Philadelphia. However, his time with the Phillies didn’t go as expected and he re-signed with the Guardians in 2019 for two seasons.
Santana brings leadership and experience to a Cleveland team that won 92 games and ran away with its division last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt. The Guardians beat Detroit in the AL Division Series before losing the ALCS to the New York Yankees in five games.
The 38-year-old played for the Minnesota Twins last season, batting .238 with 23 homers and 71 RBIs. He's also been with Kansas City, Seattle, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee.
Naylor was a solid run producer and protected All-Star José Ramírez in Cleveland's lineup. But his fielding was often suspect, and the Guardians have some other options they’d like to try going forward at first, including Kyle Manzardo.
Naylor’s departure also means he’ll no longer be teammates with younger brother, Bo, Cleveland’s primary catcher.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
FILE - Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Slade Cecconi (43) throws against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning during a baseball game, July 10, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
FILE - Cleveland Guardians' Josh Naylor watches his RBI single against the New York Yankees during the third inning in Game 4 of the baseball AL Championship Series, Oct. 18, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
