SomeAmbystomasalamander population are all female , and they procreate by clone themselves , though they do mix it up by stealing sperm they encounter on leaves and twigs left behind by male of other species . Like salamander who reproduce sexually , these females are also excellent at regenerate various organic structure parts . However , consort to new findings put out in theJournal of Zoologylast workweek , these all - female salamanders regrow their tails quicker .
Lineages of unisexual salamanders have survived for 1000000 of years . Without incorporate steal DNA into their genome , their genes stick around comparatively stable . Having a modified cistron pool typically means that harmful mutations get elapse on . Yet these salamander thrive . Previous work advise that unisexual salamanders might regenerate their consistency parts at riotous rates .
To inquire , a team of Ohio State University researcher led by Robert Denton compared a unisexual population of mole salamanders ( Ambystomatalpoideum ) with a closely interrelate heterosexual species called small - mouthed salamanders ( Ambystoma texanum ) . The squad collect their testicle masses from wetlands in Crawford County , Ohio , and they reared 10 unisexual salamanders and 30 small - backtalk salamanders . When the amphibians were between 10 and 12 month sometime , the team nip off off 40 percent of the tail and watch them regenerate .
member of the all - female universe grew their shadow back 36 percent faster than their heterosexual relatives .
Both groups of salamander regenerated their quarter at about the same rate for the first three weeks . But while unisexual stove poker had marque - newfangled tails in an average of 7.6 weeks , the small - mouthed salamanders accept another calendar month or so . to boot , since unisexual salamander are adult , they have more butt to grow back . After deal size and weight differences into account , the team estimated that all - female salamanders regenerated their behind tissue paper 1.5 time the rate of small - mouthed salamanders .
The higher tissue paper regeneration rate belike have something to do with the fact that these unisexual salamander are polyploids : They have more than two exercise set of chromosomes . Most creature ( including man ) are diploids with one specify from mama and another from pa . But these salamanders are triploids with combinations of two or more distinct genome from sexually reproducing species . An increased number of genome may provide a regenerative advantage . " Is it because they have more genomes or because they reproduce otherwise ? " Denton tell in astatement . " We do n’t bed , and it ’s unmanageable to comb out with these animal . "
