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April 18, 2007
To Sex Or Not To Sex
Apparently that is the question. Two species of Crotoniidae mites have done something scientists thought only plants were capable of doing - the animal kingdom's first known case of reversal sexuality.
That probably confused you so let me explain. These mites were once sexual meaning they mated, but that was a long long time ago. Then they evolved to become asexual reproducing via parthenogenesis. Now it seems they are changing their minds and once again mating. Scientists have examined their genetic sequences and confirm these mites actually went from being sexual to asexual back to sexual. They also now have to reevaluate the idea of sexual reversal in higher organisms since the little mites have proved them wrong.
Can I just say these mites are more finicky about sex than my last two ex's. SHEESH!
via Neatorama
Posted by tranism at 4:37 PM | Permalink