• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
The Greenway Foundation

The Greenway Foundation

Revitalizing Rivers. Reconnecting Communities.

  • About Us
    • Our History
    • Our Team
    • Employment
    • Blog
    • Annual Report
    • Contact Us
  • SPREE
    • Elementary
      • Field Trips
        • Preschool SPREE Field Trip
        • Kindergarten SPREE Field Trip
        • First Grade SPREE Field Trip
        • Second Grade SPREE Field Trip
        • Third Grade SPREE Field Trip
        • Fourth Grade SPREE Field Trip
        • Fifth Grade SPREE Field Trip
      • Camps
        • Summer Camp
        • School Break Camp
    • Middle School
      • Leaders In Training
    • High School
      • River Rangers
      • Greenway Leadership Corps
    • Families
      • Family Events
      • Camps
        • Summer Camp
        • School Break Camp
      • Just for Kids
  • Stewardship
    • Clean Water Challenge
    • Nautilus
    • Gutter Bins
    • Volunteer
  • Projects
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Family Events
    • Stewardship Events
    • CROSSCURRENTS
    • Reception on the River
    • Gala on the Bridge
  • Give
  • SPREE
  • Elementary
    • Field Trips
      • Preschool (ECE)
      • Kindergarten
      • First Grade
      • Second Grade
      • Third Grade
      • Fourth Grade
      • Fifth Grade
      • Field Trip Signup
      • Field Trip Feedback
    • Camps
      • Summer Camp
      • School Break Camp
    • Scholarships
  • Middle School
    • Leaders In Training
  • High School
    • River Rangers
    • Greenway Leadership Corps
  • Families
    • Family Events
    • Camps
      • Summer Camp
      • School Break Camp
    • Just for Kids
    • Scholarships

Single & Not Looking to Mingle

Parthenogenesis is a reproductive strategy that allows reproduction without fertilization – in short, it allows members of a species to reproduce without a partner! Below are a few of these magnificent critters to celebrate this Valentine’s Day:

Marbled Crayfish

Marbled Crayfish
First discovered in Europe, this cousin to the Rusty Crayfish found in the South Platte River was the first crustacean detected to reproduce asexually. Researchers believe this species of crayfish, also known as the marmorkreb, to be entirely female. Scientists believe this species is only about 25 years old and resulted from a genetic mutation when two Slough Crayfish mated.

Whiptail Lizard

Whiptail Lizards
Another all-female cohort is the Whiptail Lizard. Whiptails can be found in the Southwest United States, Mexico, and South America. The only known unisexual reptile, whiptails evolved from hybrids of other species of lizards. To maintain genetic diversity within the species, they begin their reproductive process with twice the number of chromosomes as their sexually reproducing relatives!

Triaeris Stenaspis

Goblin Spider – Triaeris Stenaspis
This subspecies of Goblin Spider (aka Oonopidae) is thought to be parthenogenetic, as no males of the species has ever been found. This particular Goblin Spider resides in tropical & subtropical areas all over the world. Though unconfirmed that it is entirely parthenogenetic, it has proven able to reproduce asexually under lab conditions.

Sources:

  • https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/asexual-lizards/
  • https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/05/science/mutant-crayfish-clones-europe.html
  • https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/05/science/mutant-crayfish-clones-europe.html
  • https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236201102_Life-history_of_the_parthenogenetic_oonopid_spider_Triaeris_stenaspis_Araneae_Oonopidae
Published: February 14, 2020
Category: SPREETag: Animals, Camp
The Greenway Foundation

About The Greenway Foundation

The Greenway Foundation is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Since 1974, we have been leading efforts to reclaim the South Platte River and its tributaries from a virtual cesspool to a place of environmental and recreational pride. Learn More

Previous Post:GLC Snowboards in Vail
Next Post:SPREE F.B.I. – Holiday Camp Recap

Sidebar

Current News

Mayoral Candidates on the Future of Denver’s Urban Waterways

The Greenway Foundation reached out to the current 2023 Denver Mayoral Candidates, asking each to respond to three questions concerning the future Denver’s Urban Waterways. As we receive their responses …

More Blog Posts

2022 RECAP: River Rangers

January GLC: Youth Career Exploration Day!

2022 RECAP- The Greenway Leadership Corps (GLC)

Jeff Shoemaker Retires from The Greenway Foundation

Blog Categories

Blog Archive

  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014

The Greenway Foundation

1820 Platte Street, Denver, CO 80202

info@greenwayfoundation.org

303.481.1974

FEIN: 51-0193575

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Vimeo
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
1% for the Planet Nonprofit Partner
About Us
SPREE
Stewardship
Projects
Events
DONATE TODAY
SIGN UP FOR OUR EMAIL LIST
CONTACT US

Copyright © 2023 · The Greenway Foundation · All Rights Reserved