Chinese scientists decode DNA secrets of all-female snake as the findings were published in a journal on Thursday.
Chinese researchers have decoded the DNA of a unique species of snake that reproduces without males, revealing intriguing genetic adaptations. The findings were published in Science Advances on Thursday by a team from the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The species, known as the flowerpot snake (Indotyphlops braminus), is one of the smallest snakes on Earth, measuring under 20 cm. It gets its name from its habit of hiding in the soil of potted plants. Uniquely, every known flowerpot snake is female and can reproduce without the need for a male.
Using multi-omics techniques, the team, led by Li Jiatang, discovered that the snake’s ancestral genome underwent a rapid speciation event around 41 million years ago, involving the fusion of chromosomes. They also found that certain genes related to disease resistance and sperm production have become inactive, which appears to facilitate the smooth collaboration of different DNA sets in females, enabling them to reproduce alone.
The research also revealed that “DNA repair” genes such as ALKBH2 and MDC1 work overtime in the ovaries of these snakes, acting like quality control mechanisms to ensure successful reproduction. Despite the absence of genetic mixing from two parents, these genes help ensure healthy offspring.
By shedding light on the genetic mechanisms behind the flowerpot snake’s all-female reproduction, the study challenges traditional views that asexual reproduction leads to evolutionary stagnation. Li emphasized that the findings offer new insights into how all-female species could maintain genetic diversity and adapt to their environments without male participation.
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