Charlotte, a stingray with a rust-colored hue and the size of a serving platter, has primarily resided in a storefront aquarium located in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina.

She is currently 2,300 miles (3,700 kilometers) away from her usual living environment in the waters near southern California. Additionally, she has not been in the same tank as a male of her species for at least eight years.

The owner of the aquarium stated that nature has managed to find a solution – the stingray is currently pregnant with possibly four pups and may deliver them within the next fourteen days.

“According to Brenda Ramer, executive director of the Aquarium and Shark Lab on Main Street in downtown Hendersonville, our girl wishes everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day and suggests having some puppies!”

Team ECCO, a non-profit educational organization founded by Ramer, operates a small initiative that promotes a love for science among local students and community members.

The primary concept being taught is the process of parthenogenesis, which is a form of reproduction without the involvement of a male. This method results in offspring developing from unfertilized eggs.

The infrequent event can happen in certain insects, fish, amphibians, birds, and reptiles, but not in mammals. Recorded instances have involved California condors, Komodo dragons, and yellow-bellied water snakes.

According to Kady Lyons, a research scientist at the Georgia Aquarium who is not affiliated with the North Carolina aquarium, the pregnancy of Charlotte is the only recorded instance she knows of for round stingrays.

However, Lyons is not surprised by this. Other species of sharks, skates, and rays – often categorized together – have also experienced these types of pregnancies in human care.

She remarked that she wasn’t shocked because nature always has a way of making this occur.

Lyons clarified that these animals are not engaging in cloning, but rather the fusion of a female’s egg with another cell, which initiates cell division and results in the formation of an embryo.

The egg-merging cell is referred to as a polar body. These are typically generated during the production of an egg by a female but are typically not utilized.

Lyons stated that the reason for this occurrence is unknown. However, it is a fascinating phenomenon that they appear to possess the ability to do.

Ramer and her colleagues at the nonprofit initially believed that Charlotte had a tumor when they noticed a swelling on her back that was rapidly growing. However, an ultrasound revealed that she was actually pregnant.

“We were in disbelief and exclaimed, ‘No way!’ Ramer recalled. We initially thought we were giving her too much food, but in reality, she has more mouths to feed.”

Charlotte is currently residing with five small sharks in a tank that holds approximately 2,200 gallons (8,300 liters), which is comparable to the size of a construction dumpster. According to Ramer, they are aiming to acquire a tank that is almost twice as large to accommodate Charlotte’s babies. They also plan on setting up live cameras for viewers to observe them.

According to Ramer, the occurrence is highly uncommon. However, it is taking place in the Blue Ridge Mountains of remote North Carolina, which is hundreds of miles away from the nearest ocean.

Ramer made a joke suggesting that Charlotte may have become pregnant by one of the sharks residing in the tank.

However, Lyons stated that this would be unattainable. In addition to varying in size, the creatures would not align anatomically. Their genetic makeup would also not be compatible.

According to Lyons, round stingrays, such as Charlotte, are plentiful in the Pacific waters off the coast of southern California and Mexico. They can often be found resting on the sandy ocean floor near the shore. Lyons conducted graduate research specifically on this species.

They are commonly the size of a small dinner plate in their natural habitat and are named after their circular appearance. They can be found in various shades of brown and feed on small worms, crabs, and mollusks. They are also hunted by specific species of sharks, seals, and giant sea bass.

These creatures are notorious for their painful stings, which are often caused by accidentally stepping on them while at the beach. Lifeguards in Southern California advise beachgoers to shuffle their feet as they walk in the water, specifically to avoid round stingrays.

Lyons is captivated by this species, citing the fact that embryos are nourished and supported by uterine milk while in the womb as one example of their intriguing nature.

Lyons expressed appreciation for the increased media coverage of the round stingray, stating that while it may not be as alluring as a white shark, they are capable of impressive feats.

Source: wral.com